Nurse fulfils ambition with care home purchase
A NURSE and her husband have acquired an established care home business in east Lancashire.
Melissa O’Rourke, 35, has fulfilled a long-held ambition to own her own business after buying the Ashlands Nursing Home in Rossendale, which has 19 residents and employs 25 people.
Having worked in the care sector since leaving school, Mrs O’Rourke, met the exiting shareholders, Anna Mai and Arthur Marriott on a training course, and has been working at Ashlands since the beginning of the year as they prepared to sell the business and retire.
While she will run the care provision, Mr O’Rourke, a former joiner and surveyor, will look after the financial and administration side of the home. The detached, stone-built, Grade II listed property was built in the 19th century as a residence for textile manufacturer Samuel Ashworth Lord.
It was converted into a residential home for the elderly in the 1980s and was purchased by Anna Mai and Arthur Marriott in 1993.
Melissa O’Rourke said: “Owning and running my own care home is something I’ve wanted to do from an early age. I was lucky enough to meet Anna Mai and Arthur on a nursing course and after getting to know them they raised the idea of me taking over at Ashlands when they retired.
“I have always had a natural inclination to care for people. I cared for my own mum and dad when they were ill, so I know and understand what that feels like for family members. It’s made me want to treat everyone how I wanted my own mum and dad to be cared for when they were ill.”
The O’Rourkes were advised on the purchase of the business by Simon England from the property team at Harrison Drury solicitors in Preston.
Mr England said: “I’ve known Melissa and Jason for many years. They are meticulous in what they do and I have no doubt that they will ensure Ashlands continues to be successful for many years to come.”
