THE future of East Renfrewshire Council’s last publicly-owned care home hangs in the balance is uncertain after the preferred bidder scrapped a buyout deal.

Mr Puneet Gupta walked away from investing in Bonnyton House Care Home at the last minute, just weeks after ERC had approved the sale.

Mr Gupta has blamed local media outlets for the deal falling through, citing “inaccurate” reports that made his position “unsustainable”.

However, Tory opposition councillors say the community’s anger gave Mr Gupta “cold feet”.

ERC says it is still committed to selling Bonnyton House despite the setback.

In a statement issued to the News, Mr Gupta said: “We did have the best intentions and saw a way to turn Bonnyton care home around.

“Ultimately for us, staff and residents were our main concern.

“However, unfortunately due to inaccuracies publicised and noted in the press our position was severely compromised and this prevented us from being able to take this venture forward.”

In 2015 the East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Integration Joint Board approved that Bonnyton House care home should be sold as a going concern.

The approval of the council was also required as it owns the building and site.

When approval was given to proceed with the sale of Bonnyton, the council gave permission that, in the event of the sale not being successfully concluded with the preferred bidders, negotiations could be undertaken with other bidders.

ERC has said that Mr Gupta was not the only formal bidder for the facility and East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (ERHSCP) will now immediately begin the process of revisiting other bids.

Jim Fletcher, council leader, said: “I am extremely disappointed that the preferred bidders due to purchase Bonnyton have withdrawn.

“While we have not yet been advised of the reasons why, I am aware of inaccurate comments made about the bidders during this process.

“A huge amount of work has gone into this process to date and Council had also taken the unprecedented step of supplementing pension contributions of Bonnyton staff for a period of three years to match the terms currently in place for those transferring employment to the new prospective owners.”

Julie Murray, ERHSCP chief officer, said: “In preparation for the sale my officers carried out a very thorough and robust due diligence process.

“The preferred bidders had a compelling vision for the future of Bonnyton House and were prepared to invest heavily in the building. It is therefore very sad that they have withdrawn from its purchase.”

The ERHSCP says it will continue to keep staff, residents and their families fully informed as the process to identify a new buyer continues.

Julie Murray added: “We fully appreciate that this has been a difficult process for all those involved and we will do all that we can to bring this to a conclusion as fast as we can.

“In the meantime we will keep everyone involved fully informed every step of the way.”