August 5, 2008 13:51

Musicians' retirement home to close

Unique facility to shut its doors in October

Ivor Newton House, the only facility in the UK that specifically caters for retired musicians, is to close in October.

The Musicians Benevolent Fund, who run the 21-bed home in Bromley, south east London, say that the it is unable to offer the specialist nursing and dementia care needed by its residents, and is finding it increasingly difficult to fill beds, according to BBC News.

"This decision has not been taken without a great deal of thought," MBF chairman Richard Lyttelton told the BBC. "But it has become increasingly difficult to fill the home as more and more people seeking our support wish to go into residential care closer to where they live or near family and friends."

Czech conductor Vilem Tausky and British conductor Stanford Robinson have both been residents at the home.

The Musicians Union has expressed concern at the closure, which has been met by an angry response from residents, many of whom are in their 90s, and their families.

The MBF has promised to support current residents in finding new homes and pay for the cost of removals.