A care home has been forced to make the “difficult” decision to close after struggling to keep up with costs.

Sir Thomas Lipton Residential Home, in Chase Side, Southgate, released a statement today saying it would shut in August.

It said the home has been running at a loss due to the costs of maintaining the Victorian property to the standards required for a residential home.

Over the next few weeks, families of those living in the homes will be contacted to find suitable living arrangements for residents.

Chris Poole, director of operations at Friends of the Elderly, said: “This has been a difficult decision for us.

“The costs associated with upgrading the home make it impossible for us to operate it effectively and bring it up to the efficient standards of larger, more modern homes.

“It is no longer fit for purpose. We will also be working closely with the local adult social care teams to ensure residents are supported in a careful and dignified way and the home will not be closed until the final resident is re-housed appropriately.

“The needs and wellbeing of all existing residents are paramount. We do believe that there are more modern and user-friendly facilities in the area which better serve their needs.”