A residential home dedicated to looking after retired musicians is to close, it has been announced.
A residential home dedicated to looking after retired musicians is to close in October, it has been announced.
Ivor Newton House, in Bromley, Kent - which has a Steinway piano in the lounge - is the only such home in the UK dedicated to retired musicians.
Ivor Newton House, a 21-bed care home in Bromley, south-east London is the only such facility in the UK dedicated to retired musicians.
The Musicians Benevolent Fund (MBF), which runs the home, has confirmed the closure in a statement.
The Musicians Benevolent Fund (MBF), which runs the home said it had become increasingly difficult to fill beds.
Previous residents at the home include Czech conductor Vilem Tausky and British conductor Stanford Robinson.
Previous residents at the home include Czech conductor Vilem Tausky and British conductor Stanford Robinson.
Students and professional musicians often attend the house to give recitals.
Students and professional musicians often attend the house to give recitals.
The Musicians Union expressed concern over the possible closure of the home last week.
I have lived in Ivor Newton House since 2004 and there is no way I want to move Len Davis, resident "This decision has not been taken without a great deal of thought," said MBF Chairman, Richard Lyttelton.
"Most of the residents of are now in their 90s, and we would urge the MBF to respect their wishes and allow them to live out the rest of their lives in Ivor Newton House," said general secretary John Smith.
"But it has become increasingly difficult to fill the home as more and more people seeking our support wish to go into residential care closer to where they live or near family and friends."
Current resident Len Davis also expressed his dismay.
The MBF added that the home was "unable to offer specialist nursing and dementia care" and that its facilities did not meet the levels "expected by extremely discerning and well-informed potential residents".
"I have lived in Ivor Newton House since 2004 and there is no way I want to move," he said.
'Angry'
Ivor Newton House is entirely fit for purpose as far as the residents and staff are concerned, and has always received acceptable reports from the authorities.
Those living in the house had previously registered displeasure over rumours of closure.
"I have lived in Ivor Newton House since 2004 and there is no way I want to move," said long-term resident Len Davis last week.
"Ivor Newton House is entirely fit for purpose as far as the residents and staff are concerned, and has always received acceptable reports from the authorities.
"I would be very angry if the MBF, as a charity, decided to forcibly evict people from their home at this stage of their lives."
"I would be very angry if the MBF, as a charity, decided to forcibly evict people from their home at this stage of their lives."
The Musicians Union also expressed concern over the closure, and said it would do its "utmost to support the current residents", many of whom are in their 90s.
The MBF said it would support current residents in finding new homes, and would cover the cost of removals.
It added that it also funds "a large number of older people in other residential, nursing and dementia care homes around the country, who have preferred to stay in their local area rather than move to Bromley".
Staff at the Ivor Newton Home will be given "enhanced" redundancy packages and support in finding new jobs.
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