OWNERS of a new care home with its own nail salon and cinema say they have been 'welcomed to Newtown', as they seek to create 100 new jobs.

Opening in early January, The Oaks, a purpose-built private care home on Llanidloes Road on the site of the former Flying Shuttle pub, is aiming to provide high quality accommodation across three floors.

Ahead of the opening in the New Year, the County Times was given a tour of the facilities and spoke to the directors, who say creating jobs for local people has been one of their priorities.

The care home is the brainchild of the Sandstone Care Group, owned by experienced care professionals, Ben Challinor, James Parkin and Richard Shore who have more than half-a-dozen decades experience in the care sector between them..

Another director Jen Roberts has been appointed as the home’s registered manager. Jen has worked extensively in the care sector for 32 years with a wealth of experience opening and successfully managing care homes in Wales.

She said: "We have worked with the Job Centre in Newtown, who identified 40 individuals interested in working in the care sector, whether catering, housekeeping or care.

"All candidates were given in-depth training providing them with skills they can take into the sector, and an interview, and we have taken on half of them."

The second phase recruitment is due to begin in January and once fully open, the home will be staffed by around 100 people.

Ms Roberts added: "We have had at least 250 enquiries about jobs, and as many for resident places."

Director Ben Challinor said: "To attract 40 applicants and employ 20 from a small area is really pleasing."

Fellow director James Parkin added: "The Job Centre could not have been more helpful.

"It is such a positive example of how we've been received in Newtown, there is a real buzz. We've been well supported by Cllr Joy Jones and Cllr David Selby."

The care home will have 73 bedrooms and a range of other facilities including extensive communal areas, a café bar, hair and nail salon, cinema/activity room and library.

It is designed to offer residential, nursing and dementia care tailored to the precise requirements of its residents in a safe, secure and friendly environment.

Residents will enjoy exceptional standards of care supported by the very latest care planning and nurse-call technology.

There will also be a full-time activities co-ordinator, who will develop activity programmes around each resident's individual interests.

Mr Challinor added that is is not just residents being looked after.

"We have a nice big staff room", he said.

"There will be fresh fruit available, somewhere for them to relax because it is a hard job, and we want them to feel valued."

Mr Parkin said that he expected the home to reach capacity within 18 months.

"We don't want to fill up too quickly", he said. "we do expect it to be full within 12 to 18 months but we are not looking to rush it, we want people to settle in."

The home is due to open on January 6.