Four YMCA settings in Hampshire saved from closure thanks to sales

The four settings that have been sold are YMCA Nursery Warren Park, YMCA Pre-School Dunsbury Way and YMCA Nursery Sharps Copse, all of which are in Havant and have been purchased by Hayley Sparks of Girls & Boys Nurseries, and YMCA Nursery Townhill Early Years in Southampton which has been purchased by a local school provider. Together they care for up to 222 children.

These sales are part of a wider ongoing disposal project, as the YMCA looks to close a number of settings across the south of the country. Christie & Co was appointed to source potential buyers and save this childcare provision. Buyers for additional YMCA sites are set to be secured and finalised in the coming weeks.

Hayley Sparks, owner of Girls & Boys Nurseries, comments, “Girls & Boys Nurseries already had two nurseries in the local area that were providing amazing learning opportunities to children, and we were making a huge impact on their lives and the families. When the Park Families Nurseries came up, we just thought, imagine what impact we can have in the local area with children and families by taking these on, and we enjoy a challenge. This, by far, was our biggest challenge. We are looking forward to it and to welcoming more children and local families to our Girls & Boys Nurseries family.”

Jim Hooper, YMCA Fairthorne Manor Community Director, comments, “It is really vital for the local community and families that alternative providers have been found for these early years settings. The continued provision will ensure children have continuity of care and are able to access vital support and development opportunities in their local area. Although we are disappointed that these settings will no longer be YMCAs, we are pleased other providers have stepped forward to offer continued support to our more deprived communities. Delighted to have worked with the team at Christie & Co to facilitate the sale of these settings.”

The sale was handled by Nick Brown and Rachel Godwin at Christie & Co.

Nick Brown, Director & Head of Brokerage – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, comments, “Via an accelerated process due to time constraints, we were able to secure interest on a number of settings for the YMCA which has prevented their potential closure. After receiving good levels of interest and several offers, we were pleased to have completed on sales to both Hayley Sparks of Girls & Boys Nurseries, and a local school provider.

“As a company, we are pleased to have worked alongside the YMCA in trying to secure the best outcome for both parents, staff, and children and see that childcare provision at these settings is able to continue. These successes, once again, show that we can help providers secure a sale in what initially seemed to be very difficult circumstances.”

The four YMCA settings were sold for undisclosed prices.

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For further information on this press release, contact:
Phoebe Burrows, Corporate Communications Manager
P: 07540 063 598 or E: phoebe.burrows@christie.com

Contact the agent:
Nick Brown, Director & Head of Brokerage – Childcare & Education
P: 07764 241 316 or E: nick.brown@christie.com

Rachel Godwin, Business Agent – Childcare & Education
P: 07701 315061 or E: rachel.godwin@christie.com

Visit Christie & Co’s Business Search page to find out more about current childcare listings.