THE grand opening of a Basingstoke luxury care home was toasted with Champagne and celebrated with a spot of dancing.

Pemberley House – a new 72-bed boutique-style care home – was officially opened with a 1940s-themed Champagne reception and dance.

Helping guests, residents and staff to get ‘in the mood’ was Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Councillor Dan Putty, who joined in the tea dance, before declaring the home, in Grove Road, officially open.

Cllr Putty said: “Pemberley House is an exceptional place to live. It’s impressive with large and well-designed fully-equipped apartments, and caters for all of the needs of the residents, offering professional nursing care and activities.”

The £6million home, run by luxury care home provider Gracewell Healthcare, has created 70 new jobs.

The home was named by pupils from nearby St John’s Primary School – Pemberley being the fictional Derbyshire estate of Mr Darcy, from local novelist Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

The rooms have been inspired by movie legends such as Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe, and they combine boutique hotel interior design with innovative specialist care facilities and services.

Among many innovative features, the new home includes a luxurious hair and beauty spa, a nail bar, a chic cafe, a library and WiFi.

Gracewell chief executive officer Peter Curtis said he is very proud of Pemberley House.

He said: “It’s about the people within the building and that is what’s really important, and what the team here are working hard to do is give the care the residents deserve.

“We are always looking to do the right things and to listen to the feedback we get from the residents.

“I’m very grateful to the team here who really do go above and beyond – they do their best. When they see the smiles on people’s faces and know they can make a difference to their lives – that’s when we realise that our sector is a good industry.”