Watling Court, an extra care scheme that provides care for older people in Gravesend, today featured in the hit daytime television show, Homes Under The Hammer.
A large group of residents, staff, friends and family settled in the homes lounge to watch the show and a large cheer went around the home when Watling Court finally appeared. The feedback from everyone who viewed the show was positive, with new residents able to appreciate the evolution of the site over the last four years.
The new property, which opened in 2011, was one of three properties featured in the show, which focuses on properties that have been purchased at auction and then redeveloped. The extra care scheme came to the attention of Lion TV, who produces the show, back in 2008 when Kent County Council auctioned it.
The transformation since then has been dramatic, and drew praise from the local estate agents and property experts featured on the show. The 56 apartment building is made up of one and two bedroom accommodation for older people with care and housing needs. In addition to the apartments, residents will benefit from on-site restaurant, hairdressers, shop and IT hub. The show’s experts provided estimations to the value of the scheme, which revealed that the project has been a sound financial investment, with a commercial value well in excess of the initial outlay.
Watling Court scheme manager Zena Thomas with resident George Harlin.
Zena Thomas, scheme manager at Watling Court, commented: “It was great to see Watling Court on the television, the residents have been looking forward to it since Christmas and they all really enjoyed it. Everyone at Abbeyfield Kent is very proud of the scheme, and I’m very glad that we got an opportunity to show it off to the whole country.”