TWO Drumchapel care homes have been sold to new owners – but will still be run by the same family firm.

Almond View and Almond Court, both in Drumchapel Place, were sold along with seven other Scottish homes for a price tag of £47.5 million.

The homes were previously owned by the family-run Holmes Care Group, who have now sold them and leased them back from Impact Healthcare REIT plc.

Almond Court was one of the care homes hit by the Covid-19 pandemic this year, with five suspected fatalities by mid April.

It was reported in June that two families were launching legal action against Almond Court’s owners over the coronavirus deaths.

Property advisers Christie & Co said the portfolio sale allowed owners Shiraz and Indumati Lakhani to retire and their daughter, Sharifa, to continue to operate and grow the business as managing director.

Ms Lakhani, managing director of Holmes Care Group, said: “Providing excellent care to everyone who makes their home with us is our absolute priority.

“We are very pleased to have concluded this deal, which will allow us to continuously invest in our homes across Scotland whilst maintaining our proud tradition as a family-run business.

“This long-term arrangement will see us continue to operate all of the homes, and is great news for residents, their families and our team.”

Martin Daw, senior director at Christie & Co, who handled the portfolio, said: “This deal is the largest care home transaction to happen in Scotland in over 15 years.

“For the deal to be agreed and concluded during this very difficult time we find ourselves in goes to show the confidence in the Scottish care home sector and our client’s quality of operation.”