Building the Future: Helping Guild Care Acquire Saxon House

If you live in Worthing – or know the area well – you will undoubtedly have heard of Guild Care.
The social care charity has been a big part of the town’s community since its launch in 1933.
More recently, we have taken immense pride in having played a pivotal role in supporting a new chapter for Guild Care: the acquisition of Saxon House.
This project represents a significant step forward for the organisation, and we are honoured to have provided the legal expertise necessary to make this vision a reality.
In this article, we’ll briefly explain how we helped and what this acquisition will mean for the charity.
About the Project
Guild Care has been at the forefront of social care in Worthing for over 90 years, offering vital services to support older people, people living with dementia and children and adults with learning disabilities. Their vision is for all people in need of care to live fulfilling, safe and secure lives.
The acquisition of Saxon House will enable Guild Care to expand its reach and services in a state-of-the-art environment.
Saxon House is much more than just a building – it represents a transformative opportunity to improve the lives of the charity’s service users, staff, volunteers, and the wider community through:
- Dedicated Service User Facilities: Purpose-built spaces designed to meet the unique needs of those Guild Care supports, ensuring safe and modern care environments
- Modern Workspace and Improved Transport Access: The new open-plan workspace, combined with their current building, Methold House, offers ample parking and enhanced facilities for their transport team, enabling safer and more efficient transportation for service users
- Enhanced Community Connections: The acquisition of Saxon House provides additional space to expand the charity’s services, fostering a community hub where more people in the local area can access the support they need
Our Role in the Process
Bennett Griffin’s commercial property team was instrumental in guiding Guild Care through the legal complexities of acquiring Saxon House.
Senior Associate Josh Coleman took the lead in handling the transaction, working closely with Guild Care and their partners to ensure the process was seamless.
Key aspects of our involvement included:
- Managing tight deadlines: Ensuring all legal requirements were met promptly to secure the property on schedule.
- Advising on the existing lease: Saxon House had a subsisting tenant, Aviva, which required careful advice to be given to guarantee Guild Care could utilise the property as planned but also that Aviva’s occupation would not be disturbed.
- Attention to detail: Acting for a charity demands meticulous attention to detail. Everything needed to be watertight and transparent, as charities are accountable to trustees, donors, and other stakeholders. This included ensuring all legal documents aligned with Guild Care’s mission and long-term goals.
Josh noted, “Working on this transaction was a real pleasure. The key for me was the clarity and openness of communication I had with both Warren (CEO of Guild Care) and Leigh Doherty (from Jacob Steel), the latter was also assisting Guild Care with the purchase and was a real asset on the transaction. This open communication avenue ensured we were always on the same page and able to deal with any challenges that arose quickly and efficiently. It’s always great to work on a transaction like this, knowing the positive impact it will have on the local community.”
Expert Insight from Josh Coleman
Reflecting on the project, Josh shared his thoughts:
What made this project unique or particularly meaningful?
“The most rewarding part was knowing how much good this property will do for the community. Guild Care’s vision for Saxon House aligns perfectly with their mission, and it was fulfilling to play a part in making it a reality.”
Were there any legal complexities specific to purchasing Saxon House for a charity?
Acting for a charity comes with its own set of responsibilities. Everything must be examined and reported on thoroughly. Trustees and donors need to know their contributions are being managed responsibly, so there’s no room for ambiguity.”
Why is it important for charities like Guild Care to work with experienced commercial property lawyers?
“Charities need to ensure their investments are sound and their donors’ trust is upheld. Working with experienced lawyers ensures every aspect of the transaction is checked and compliant, giving all stakeholders peace of mind.”
Looking Ahead
Saxon House is set to become a cornerstone of Guild Care’s services, enhancing their ability to support the community.
Plans for the property include consulting with service users, staff, and volunteers to ensure the space meets everyone’s needs.
This inclusive approach reflects Guild Care’s commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
We’re thrilled to have supported Guild Care in this meaningful project and look forward to seeing Saxon House become a vibrant community hub.
If your organisation needs expert guidance for a property transaction, our commercial property team is here to help.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your vision.