“The public has been let down” - that was the response from the chairman of the Friends of Wayfarers now it has finally been sold to a private care company.

Chairman of the group Dick Perry, along with residents, has been battling to keep the Sandwich care home under the control of Kent County Council for up to six years.

The former councillor made an impassioned plea to save it from being sold off when the authority confirmed it was considering bids in April this year.

But yesterday, he admitted defeat as the news broke that it will be sold as a going concern to Compass Care Homes with the transition expected to be completed by the winter of 2017.

He said: “From my point of view, one cannot be pleased because I believed it was right for Wayfarers to remain in political hands so that they had a responsibility to the public.

“All the while KCC was responsible, it was always possible to challenge them by saying it was their duty to look after it.

“Now, it’s no longer going to be their responsibly, it’s a commercial responsibly and it’s going to be much harder for them to be accountable to the public.

“In selling Wayfarers, the public has been let down.”

Wayfarers, in St Bart’s Road, has 13 full-time residents and offers more than 30 beds for day and respite care. It employs about 50 staff and is the only care home for the elderly in Sandwich.

There is a covenant which says it must remain as a care home for five years.

The Mayor of Sandwich Cllr Paul Graeme believes it is not long enough.

He said: “I am of course very happy that the facility remains for the elderly and I am pleased to learn that there are conditions that it should remain as a facility for the elderly for at least five years.

“This of course is not long enough and I would hope that the purchasers will make every effort to run the facility way beyond that to secure the well being of the elderly in Sandwich which must be society’s priority as we all know there will be a greater need for elderly care in the future.”

The decision to sell Wayfarers as a going concern was made by cabinet member for adult social care and public health Graham Gibbens in February 2016.

Using the services of a specialist agent who is experienced in selling care homes, multiple offers were received and evaluated by senior staff in Kent County Council.

Compass Care Homes, which is the chosen purchaser, has been established since 1997 and provides residential care and support to adults and older adults with learning and physical disabilities along with care at home to older people.

Indi Lal, Compass Care Homes director, said: “Our approach to care is very much person centred and we put residents, staff and the community at the core of our work."

KCC says existing residents and their families will be supported throughout the transfer of the service and their arrangements will be protected.

For the full story and reactions, pick up this week's Sandwich Mercury - out tomorrow.