Nursery faces closure after eviction notice

A long-standing Sheffield nursery faces closure, with staff saying they were being "forced out" by their church landlords.

Staff at St Leonard's Nursery, at St Leonard's Church in Norwood, received an eviction notice on 10 February confirming they had 30 days to leave the premises.

Lynne Cottam, who has been the manager for 30 years, said: "We're just hoping we can carry on, we are open to negotiation, we don't want this to be the end."

The Diocese of Sheffield said the parochial church council (PCC) "remains open to further facilitated negotiation with the nursery owner" with a meeting arranged for Wednesday 12 March to discuss the matter further.

The nursery first opened in 1995 and looks after 43 children aged between two and five.

Nichola Tomkins, assistant manager of the nursery, said the letter had caused a huge amount of "shock" and "upset".

"Staff are not sleeping, we can't believe we're being forced out," she said.

"This could cause massive upheaval to our children especially those with special educational needs, they need stability and structure."

The Diocese of Sheffield said: "Over the years, the PCC has made significant efforts to accommodate the nursery, absorbing substantial costs for utilities, services and repairs that would typically be covered under a formal rental agreement.

"In 2016, and again in autumn 2024, the PCC sought to establish a formal agreement to ensure fair and sustainable arrangements, including necessary rent adjustments due to rising costs.

"Unfortunately, these efforts were not successfully progressed."

More than £1,000 has been raised through crowdfunding to help the nursery with legal costs to fight the decision.

On 23 February, Ms Cottam wrote to the Members of St Leonard's Church PCC appealing for them to reconsider the decision.

She said: "I am reaching out as an employer of nearly 30 years to hopefully open communication and begin to unravel this difficult and highly upsetting situation."

Parents also expressed their concerns about the closure.

Kimberley Baxter's daughter Poppy, aged two, started at the nursery in September 2024.

Ms Baxter told the BBC: "When she started she was shy and reserved.

"Her confidence has shone and come out of her shell. I'm devastated."

Naseem Khan has a four-year-old autistic son, and she admitted she had been "dreading" the closure.

"It will be very difficult for him, transitioning one room to another is bad enough, changing setting will be impossible," she said.

The diocese said: "After much consideration, the PCC has regretfully concluded that the informal relationship between the church and the nursery must now come to an end.

"The PCC has not taken this decision lightly, having actively sought an amicable solution over a number of years."

The priest in charge at St Leonard's, the Rev Keith Ryder West, offered a glimmer of hope to nursery staff and parents.

He told the BBC: "There is still time to negotiate and the Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham is in the process of setting up a meeting between key people."

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