A private company that has taken over two care homes previously run by a veterans’ charity has issued assurances that existing residents will not see their fees rise.

The Royal British Legion Industries charity took the “difficult decision” to sell its two care homes - Bradbury House and Appleton Lodge - on its military veterans’ village in Aylesford at the start of November.

Both facilities are now owned and run by Eleanor Health Care Group.

The new owners said they had held two meetings with the families of residents - the majority of whom have dementia - to explain the transition and to reassure them that there would be no increase in fees - as had previously been incorrectly reported on KentOnline.

The news came as a relief to one resident, Phil Mason, who had expressed fears his savings would soon be eaten up.

Mr Mason, who has been a resident at Bradbury House for 22 years, has multiple sclerosis and is partially paralysed, requiring full-time nursing care.

The former BT manager, now 76, had been paying RBLI £4,000 a month for a room with en-suite facilities, but was fearful when he saw that Eleanor was now advertising a guideline price for care at Bradbury House of £1,670 a week, equivalent to £7,236 per calendar month.

But a spokesman for Eleanor Health Care Group said: “The fees quoted are intended for new or prospective care-seekers.

“The figures reflect market rates, as well as the high standards of care and services we provide. Importantly, these quoted fees do not apply to existing residents.”

The spokesman said Mr Mason’s fees - and those of the other existing residents, had not risen, but would be subject to an annual review, which was “standard practice nationally for care homes”.

But he said: “Our process is carried out on a case-by-case basis and takes into account several factors, including residents’ care needs and the financial circumstances of the residents and their families.

“In this particular case, our fee review process is a continuation of RBLI’s existing annual review practice, conducted in alignment with these considerations.

“With regard to Mr Mason’s fees, we will follow the same fair and transparent process as outlined above when his review period is due.

“As always, our approach will take into account his care needs, financial situation, and other relevant factors.”

He said: “At Eleanor, we operate with the highest standards of transparency and integrity. We deeply value our residents and staff, and their well-being is at the core of everything we do.”

All the former RBLI staff have been retained since the switchover on November 1.

Bradbury House was formerly known as Gavin Astor House. It cares for 50 patients.

Neighbouring Astor Lodge, which was only opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in August 2019, accommodates a further 15 people.

A spokesman for the Royal British Legion Industries said: “Following a full strategic review of the charity’s activities, the difficult decision was made to sell our care homes, Bradbury House, and Appleton Lodge.

“The rising cost of running our care homes and the high level of specialist provision required informed the decision to sell.

“As part of this transition, all staff members have been transferred to the new owners, and our residents are unaffected as they continue to receive the high standard of care by a team who know and understand their needs, and whom the residents know and trust.

“The well-being of the people we care for is always our top priority and, although both care homes have been sold, care will remain on the village and can still be accessed by RBLI’s residents who will still also benefit from the support of the wider veteran community.”

As it happens, Mr Mason is not a military veteran.

He said: “At the time that I applied for a place, over two decades ago, RBLI had a policy of accepting 10% non-military residents, and I snuck in under that.”

In April last year, KentOnline visited Bradbury House as part of our Homes for Heroes campaign to raise £100,000 for the RBLI’s Centenary Village project to provide more homes for ex-servicemen.