Two residential homes run by Bristol-based Brunelcare are closing down, leaving 26 elderly people having to move out.

Cowlin House in Clifton will continue to operate until mid-September, but Beverley Cottage in Burnham-on-Sea is expected to shut in the middle of next month.

There are currently 19 residents in Cowlin House in Pembroke Road and another seven in Beverley Cottage. Brunelcare also employs 25 staff at each of the two homes.

Residents will be offered the chance to move to Brunelcare's three other homes in Bristol.

Helen Joy, chief executive of the charity, said the homes were being closed for several reasons, including problems attracting new residents.

She said: "This is due to several factors that include the local competition in the Clifton and Burnham-on-Sea areas and national and local initiatives to enable older people to remain living in their own home for longer."

Ms Joy said the homes also needed a "significant amount of expenditure" to bring them up to modern standards and the income from residents was not covering costs.

"Although, as a charity, Brunelcare has the funds in place to support areas of the organisation which fail to cover their costs for a limited period – as has been the case with Cowlin House and Beverley Cottage for some years – it is of the upmost importance that we use our resources wisely to ensure we continue to provide the highest standards of care, housing and support to all the older people we serve across the South West," said Ms Joy.

She said that the decision to close the homes was taken by the board of trustees after "extensive evaluation and consultation with staff, residents and families".

She added: "The well-being of the residents is of paramount importance and Brunelcare will work closely with residents, their families and social workers to ensure the most suitable alternative accommodation is found.

"We will be working closely with the staff involved to ensure similar positions are made available within the organisation, wherever appropriate.

"The closure of Cowlin House and Beverly Cottage has been a difficult decision to reach and one that was not made easily or without regret

"The homes have been part of Brunelcare for many years but I believe it is in the best interests of Brunelcare and the thousands of older people we serve."

Ms Joy said residents could move to other local care homes or to Brunelcare's new sheltered housing scheme, Waverley Gardens, which is due to open in Bishopsworth, Bristol in September.

Brunelcare runs a number of sheltered housing schemes in Bristol and Clevedon and has four other care homes in Soundwell, Stockwood and Whitehall in Bristol, and in Glastonbury.

It said its fees for its homes covered all areas of 24-hour care, such as catering, laundry and personal care, as well as building maintenance costs.

About half of residents paid privately, with others funded by social services, but it said in both cases the fees did not cover the running costs.

Are you a relative of one of the Brunelcare residents affected? If so, email the newsdesk at epnews@bepp.co.uk.