Christie & Co sells Beehive Nursery to expanding local operators
Located in Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire, Beehive Nursery gained a swarm of interest from buyers as soon as it was introduced to the market by specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co.
Conveniently located on a popular commuter road, Beehive Nursery operates from an attractive detached converted residential property, with the first floor being used as owner’s accommodation. The nursery has effective operating capacity for 41 children and benefits from an extensive rear garden which is used as the outdoor play and learning environment.
The previous owner, Valerie Hamblin established the setting in 1994 and over the years built a strong reputation within the local community. After 22 successful years at the setting, Valerie decided to sell her nursery to pursue retirement.
The business was acquired by expanding local operators Little Explorers Ltd, who were searching for a second nursery to facilitate their customer demand after an extremely successful first year at their Thornton Cleveleys setting. Sisters and directors of Little Explolers Ltd, Emma Rathbone and Amy Crook, are eager to build on and add their own stamp to the new sister setting. Emma and Amy said about the transaction, “We are looking forward to building on the client base currently here and have many registered to start. We have lots of exciting changes we are keen to implement.”
Sofia Beck, Childcare Agent at Christie & Co who managed the transaction adds, “After running the nursery and living in the property for so long, the decision to sell for Mrs Hamblin was a very difficult one. It was highly important to Valerie that she would be leaving the nursery and staff in safe hands. We both shared the opinion that Emma and Amy would be an ideal match for the Beehive Nursery and it was clear from the start that the purchaser was most likely to be an existing local operator.
“I am excited to see the new changes that Little Explorer’s Ltd have in store for the nursery.”
Specialist funding was required by Little Explorers Ltd to purchase the new business and Scott Murcott, Finance Consultant at Christie Finance helped secure this funding. He comments, "It was great to help Emma and Amy to buy their second nursery, sourcing the best package to refinance the loan on their first nursery and release the equity to buy."
