HEALTHCARE MARKET UPDATE | AUTUMN 2021

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INVESTOR APPETITE REMAINS UNDIMINISHED

Despite the well-publicised challenges facing social care providers, the sector is still seeing considerable buyer demand.

Almost two years from the onset of restrictions in the UK, an analysis of the transactions completed by Christie & Co suggests there has been no material impact in values and multiples being achieved due to the pandemic.

CHANGE IN BUYER BEHAVIOUR

An analysis of deals we concluded in 2011 and 2021 shows a significant shift in the distance buyers are prepared to travel to purchase a care home. In 2011, 58% of our deals were concluded to buyers who lived within 50km of the business and in 2021 this fell to 33%. Conversely, the number of deals concluded to buyers who lived over 200km from the care home increased from 11% to 20% over the same period.

There are likely to be a number of factors driving this change in behaviour, not least the lack of supply in the market last year, forcing buyers to look further afield. Advancing technology is allowing operators to accurately track key areas of the business from a distance and this is also likely to be driving this change.

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THE STRENGTH OF THE TRANSACTIONAL MARKET IS DEMONSTRATED BY THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITY

6% Increase in healthcare transaction volumes*

11% Increase in overall pipeline of deals*

16% Increase in offers received*

35% Increase in new deals in solicitors hands*

*Compared to 2019

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DISTRESS IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR?

Operators continue to face considerable workplace challenges, most notably of which is the staffing crisis, which we anticipate will be further exacerbated by the imposed deadline for staff vaccinations. Occupancy levels for many providers remain lower than the long-term average and this has compounded the financial challenges already being faced by the sector. As cost pressures have mounted, driven by more stringent infection control and safety measures, the number of closed care homes being brought to the market is increasing.

In 2014,11% of all care home instructions brought to the market by Christie & Co were on a vacant possession basis and, in 2020, this rose to 18%.

This upward trend is likely driven by an increase in the closure of smaller, unviable care homes, and the buoyant residential market, increasing underlying property values, which is providing operators with an alternative exit route. The proliferation of new build stock in many areas across the south, in particular, is also having an impact on the closure rate of smaller, older stock.

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RECENT TRANSACTIONS

MILLER COURT, HEREFORDSHIRE

Miller Court is a purpose-built property, constructed in 2016, comprising 14 single bedrooms with full en suite facilities. Previously used as a mental health recovery unit, owned by Herefordshire Mind and let to a local College of Further Education, the vacant property was sold to Noble Care Ltd.

Christie & Co has an extensive knowledge and network within the care sector, which enabled them to generate interest in our property over a sustained period of time. As an organisation they were very effective at providing continuity of service throughout the periods of the COVID-19 lockdowns. We quickly came to appreciate the professionalism, experience and advice. Paul Reilly was always readily available and worked tirelessly on our behalf. We were confident that he was  acting in our best interest and he demonstrated real empathy for the charitable purpose of our organisation and the challenges we were facing. 

Mark Waller, Chair, Herefordshire Mind

ST ANDREWS HOUSE, DEVON

Former Rectory to the adjacent church. Family run for over 30 years. Sold to an experienced care home operator who acquired both their other homes in Plymouth and Ermington from Christie & Co.

It remains for me to sincerely thank you, Simon, for your advice, help and understanding and getting the deal done. I’m delighted with the acquisition of St Andrews to add to our portfolio, the location geographically fits in with our wider development plan. St Andrews with its planning consents will enable us to develop the site further, providing a high-quality care environment in the wonderful historic town of Ashburton. The relationship with Christie & Co extends over 25 years, and this transaction, like the others previously, has been handled impeccably and overseen by Simon with his total commitment, professionalism and attention to detail

Dick Wraighte, buyer, St Andrews Care Home

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WHAT DO OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US

We were very pleased with the service received from Christie & Co. Having experienced trying to sell our business before, we found their advice both balanced and realistic; which is vital in what is a very challenging process. I would highly recommend their services to anyone considering selling their business in the future.

Richard Smith, Managing Director, Way Ahead Care

We were very happy with the help we received from Julie Kitson from Christie & Co with the purchase of Kendal House Care Home. Julie and her team were very experienced with a thorough knowledge of the care sector. We would definitely work with Christie + Co again. 

Jack Jenkinson, Kendal House Care Home

I have dealt with the great team at Christie & Co, for over 30 years, and have always felt that any purchase or sale of our (care) homes has always been in safe hands. I cannot fault their professional and forward-looking approach and have never found a sale or purchase where Christie & Co have not been able to achieve a satisfactory price for us as, even when the market has been challenging. I would highly recommend them as a leading authority within the care industry.

A Whitmoor-Pryer, Director of Kahanah Care Ltd

Thank you for your input to our deal. As a first-time seller, your contacts in our sector and advice and guidance at the early negotiating stage was extremely helpful. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Gordon Quince, Director, ID Healthcare

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CHRISTIE FINANCE

With the funding market continuing to be competitive and unpredictable, working with a commercial finance specialist like Christie Finance is your best chance to secure the funding you need.

DEALS WE’VE RECENTLY COMPLETED ON IN THE SECTOR:

REFINANCE OF THE ELMS CARE HOME, STAUNTON

• We supported an existing client to refinance their high-quality care home
• We helped to purchase the care home in 2019

MANAGEMENT BUYOUT OF AUCKLAND CARE LIMITED, HAMPSHIRE

• We supported the Director of a specialist care home with a management buyout
• We’ve since assisted the company in expanding its portfolio

ACQUISITION OF ASTON HOUSE, HEREFORD

• We supported the purchase of a care home that provides mental health support
• Our colleagues at Christie & Co conducted the sale

CBILS FUNDING SOURCED FOR A LONG-STANDING CLIENT, LEICESTERSHIRE

• We supported a Leicestershire-based client in securing CBILS funding
• Funding sourced helped with operational costs following the effects of COVID-19

I found Christie Finance to be highly supportive and solution-driven at all hurdles that we came up against during this journey. I was particularly impressed by the dexterity with which Christie Finance was able to package my project in a bespoke representation, reflecting the positively unique attributes of the business, many of which would have remained uncovered against standard due diligence stencils.

Mr Trinity Munowenya, Auckland Care Limited

WHAT HAS THE CARE FUNDING MARKET LOOKED LIKE THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC?

During the past 18 months, and despite the increased pressures that the care sector has felt, the Christie Finance team has continued to support the funding needs of various clientele within the sector.

Christie Finance has continued to support clients with various transactions including acquisitions, expansions, refurbishments, and restructuring instructions.

A lot has changed over the past 18 months with the funding market and care sector relationship, but are banks still lending within the care sector?

Based on the transactions we have worked on during 2021, it is fair to say that many of the ‘high street’ lenders fell short of the historically strong support for the sector. However, there has been an emergence of alternative lenders who have had a holistic understanding of the sector and have stepped in with more flexible support regarding their unsecured and secured finance packages.

To support businesses during the pandemic, the care sector has had access to government-backed grants, along with loan schemes introduced by banks to extend funding options within the market. These opportunities included the Bounce Bank Loans (BBLS) and The Coronavirus Interruption Business Loan Scheme (CIBLS); with the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) now replacing these schemes.

Maintaining a straightforward approach to sourcing competitive funding for clients allows Christie Finance to support a business’s funding requirements and obtain various forms of finance, including unsecured loans, working capital loans, commercial mortgages and asset finance.

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Despite the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, many operators have generally continued with scheduled development site acquisitions this year as they fulfil strategic objectives to improve the quality of their asset base in the medium to long-term.

OPPORTUNITY

• Design features in new developments seek to address the evolving operational requirements and stringent infection control measures the pandemic has highlighted as necessary
• The sector is increasingly attracting foreign and institutional investment thanks to the long-term fundamentals offered in comparison to more traditional property sectors
• Increased liquidity in the sector is allowing operators to enact strategic growth plans

SUPPLY

• Land availability in locations with compelling underlying demographics remains scarce 
• Securing planning permission remains a costly, protracted, and uncertain process
• Some areas of the South East have seen high levels of new build activity and specialist developers are now branching out further

DEMAND

• Scheduled development has, for the most part, continued throughout the pandemic as operators seek to futureproof their asset base for the medium to long-term.
• Land values for sites with planning permission has continued to increase at a steady rate and we anticipate demand to remain robust for the foreseeable future
• The North & South West of England have seen much less development activity in recent years but continue to have strong demand drivers and undersupply of market standard bed capacity
• The increased demand and lack of alternative opportunity for investors is resulting in yield compression across the spectrum of covenant 

VALUATION SERVICES

HOW HAVE WE CHANGED OUR INSPECTION PROTOCOL?

PRIOR TO INSPECTION

• Desktop risk assessment undertaken
• Are there any outbreaks at the property to be inspected?
• Is everyone at the property fit and well?
• Are we able to social distance once inside?
• An information request will be sent prior to the appointment

THE INSPECTION

• We will attend the property for the shortest amount of time that we are reasonably able to undertake the valuation
• Any follow up questions will be undertaken remotely once the visit has taken place

THE SURVEYOR

• A lateral flow test and temperature will be taken on the day of the inspection
• All proper PPE will be worn on-site
• Any additional requests from on-site management will be followed closely to meet required procedures