SPIRALLING costs and the Covid pandemic are behind plans to close the Sherborne Almshouse in its current form.

The St John’s Almshouse charity is consulting with staff, residents and other stakeholders over the future of the property, as it says the ‘current operating model is not sustainable’.

Sherborne Almshouse, in Half Moon Street, dates back almost 600 years to 1437, when it was first licensed to house ’12 poor men and four poor women’.

In recent years, it has been home to 18 elderly residents as part of a ‘unique’ community-living set up.

Now, trustees have revealed an uncertain future for the building.

They said Covid had brought ‘significant challenges’, including higher costs, stretching resources.

After a review of the financial position of the Almshouse, they said they had ‘reluctantly’ concluded the model was ‘not sustainable’.

“The Trustees of the St Johns’ Almshouse charity confirm they are consulting with staff, residents and other stakeholders about the way that the Almshouse will operate in future,” a statement said.

It went on: “During the last three to four years, we have found it increasingly difficult to attract new residents who both want to live in the House as it is currently configured and are fit enough to do so.

“While St Johns’ provides fully serviced accommodation, it is not a care home and we have found that people who are fit enough to enjoy all that St Johns’ has to offer, are now seeking to live independently in their own homes rather than as part of a community.

“Covid has also made communal living less attractive.”

Combined with the running costs of a Grade 1-listed building, the charity said it ‘does not have the funds’ to keep going, in the current form.

“Unfortunately, at this stage, this means that there is a risk we may have to make redundancies, and we have therefore commenced a consultation process to explore this fully,” the statement said.

It added: “The trustees are very sad at the possibility that our current operation may have to change and are very mindful of the anxiety and stress that this news will bring.

“We are seeking to be as open and transparent as we can and support residents and staff through what we appreciate and fully understand will be a difficult time.”

Any decisions over the future of the site are expected in the coming months.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It is a genuine home with the best location in town.

“It is also the most affordable place to live in Sherborne.”

They said they hoped the reasons for the consultation will be addressed, ‘as they have since 1437’.

Here is the St John’s Almshouse charity statement in full:

“The Trustees of the St Johns’ Almshouse charity confirm they are consulting with staff, residents and other stakeholders about the way that the Almshouse will operate in future.

Our beautiful and historic Almshouse which forms such an important part of Sherborne’s town centre landscape was licensed in 1437, the building was completed in 1448 and has provided shelter and support to residents ever since.

The challenges of our post pandemic world are no respecter of tradition. In so many aspects of our lives Covid has brought significant challenges. New procedures; higher costs; stretched resources.

It is in this context that the trustees have been reviewing the financial position of the Almshouse and have reluctantly concluded that the current operating model is not sustainable.

During the last three to four years, we have found it increasingly difficult to attract new residents who both want to live in the House as it is currently configured and are fit enough to do so. While St Johns’ provides fully serviced accommodation, it is not a care home and we have found that people who are fit enough to enjoy all that St Johns’ has to offer, are now seeking to live independently in their own homes rather than as part of a community. Covid has also made communal living less attractive.

At the same time costs of maintaining a Grade 1 listed building and of providing the services to our residents have spiralled and the charity does not have the funds to continue to meet these costs.

The trustees are committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Almshouse charity and are actively considering alternative ways of operating.

Unfortunately, at this stage, this means that there is a risk we may have to make redundancies, and we have therefore commenced a consultation process to explore this fully. It will be run in accordance with all legal requirements and best practice and is expected to last six to eight weeks. At the end of the consultation, the Brethren (trustees of the charity that run the Almshouse) will make a decision about the future. We will then advise staff and residents of the outcome as quickly as possible.

The trustees are very sad at the possibility that our current operation may have to change and are very mindful of the anxiety and stress that this news will bring.  We are seeking to be as open and transparent as we can and support residents and staff through what we appreciate and fully understand will be a difficult time.”