A care service firm led by an award-winning young entrepreneur has announced plans for a new base in Perth, sparking hopes of a jobs boost.
Bright Care, which offers domiciliary care across Scotland, said its new office will create 18 new posts.
A site at Charlotte Street has been identified by the company, which wants to build on its existing portfolio of offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire. Three office staff and at least 15 carers will work from the new centre, which is likely to open this summer.
Bright Care’s founder and director Tim Cocking said: “Bright Care’s new office will serve not only the city of Perth.
“Our teams will cover all of rural Perthshire, in which there is a great need for private care provision.”
Mr Cocking, who was named 2012 Scottish Young Entrepreneur of the Year, said: “There are limited options for senior citizens, taking into account the limitations of statutory services. Often the only options available to older people and their relatives is a residential care home which, in our experience, is rarely what people would freely choose, given the choice.”
Bright Care works with men and women who have chosen to live at home, rather than in residential care. Workers help with everything from laundry to intensive live-in care for people with more complex needs.
The firm employs about 100 people and says it has made the strategic choice not to enter into contracts with local authorities.
The announcement came just 24 hours after Perth was dealt a jobs blow with news that Homebase is to close with the loss of 34 posts.