A care home which lost half of its residents to Covid-19 in the height of the pandemic is set to close.

Pelham House in Folkestone will shut on June 9 as a “perfect storm of unfortunate circumstances” made it impossible to carry on.

Bosses from Seacole’s Ltd, which runs the home in Pelham Gardens, said losing 10 out of 20 residents to the virus in just 10 days marked the beginning of a series of event leading the decision to close.

In May 2020, the home became infected with the Coronavirus after one resident, a 96-year-old veteran, returned from William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, before receiving a Covid-19 test result.

Seventeen more residents then became infected, and nine staff were off, either having tested positive or self-isolating, including manager Matt Stacey and a cook.

A spokesperson from Seacole’s Ltd which runs the site explained: “It is with profound regret that we have to announce that we will cease trading as Pelham House Care Home.

“In May 2020, Pelham House Care Home was infected with Covid-19 following a resident being returned to the home by the local Hospital – against the organisation’s wishes.

“This marked the beginning of a series of events resulting in the current financial challenges.

“With this uncertainty and the pressure of operating within the restrictions placed on the care sector by the government, the result was the loss of key staff including two managers and their deputies.”

“The perfect storm of unfortunate circumstances that Covid-19 created, followed by continued low occupancy numbers and excessively high utility bills has meant that we have had to work tirelessly to find other options for funding.

“Unfortunately, none of these options proved to be viable and so we have no further choice other than to close the doors.

“We will of course be here to support the relatives and the local authority in finding suitable alternative places for the residents currently in our care.”

In summer 2020, the care home opened up on the tragic events that saw half of their residents killed by coronavirus in a heartbreaking TV special.

It was one of two homes to feature in an hour-long Panorama special entitled ‘The Forgotten Frontline’.

Then, in 2021, the care home’s manager Roger Waluube helped guide a Channel 4 drama which focused on the ways staff struggled during the height of the pandemic.

Titled ‘Help’, the show starred Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham.