A care home has more than doubled in size and now has a hair salon following a major building project.

Glen Arun Care Home in Athelstan Way, Horsham, worked with Sussex-based Pilbeam Construction to transform its premises and increase capacity from 26 bedrooms to 54.

The new extension was built on under-utilised land at the rear of the building and includes new bathrooms and even a hair salon.

The project was completed without residents having to move out and without the home needing to close.

Bill Musa, site manager at Pilbeam Construction, said: “We are delighted to complete this challenging project at Glen Arun which has doubled the capacity by building an extension from the ground up.

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“It means more rooms for local people who are looking for a care home in Sussex, better facilities for current residents and financial security for the home’s owners.

“The biggest challenge for us was to complete the work without Glen Arun having to close and without requiring residents to move out of their rooms.

“It’s a model that we think could help other care homes in the region to increase potential revenue in what everyone knows is a challenging market.”

Most of the new rooms at Glen Arun are singles but the project also included double rooms, bathrooms and an office.

Neema Clinton, manager at Glen Arun, said: “There is strong demand for residential care in this area and it was important for Glen Arun to increase capacity to meet that local need.

“We are very happy with how Pilbeam Construction tackled the project for us, delivering new rooms and new facilities that will be a big asset to us and to the people who stay with us.

“For it all to be delivered without the need for the home to close at any stage is a tribute to everyone involved.”