Leading two-site day nursery group in Lancashire changes hands

Established in 2013 by Laura Ward and Annemarie Capper, Manor Day Nurseries is an exceptional group of two high-quality day nurseries with a combined operating capacity for 136 children.

The flagship setting, Gelston Manor Day Nursery, operates from a beautifully restored period property surrounded by three acres of woodland, offering a unique and inspiring ‘outdoor nursery’ experience. Its sister site, Little Manor Day Nursery in Adlington, complements the group’s offering with a modern, welcoming environment in a central location.

The business has traded successfully under the four Directors, which also include Laura’s husband, Neil and Annemarie’s husband, Simon, for over a decade. With high occupancy, waiting lists, and a robust operational structure, the business provides seamless care and education from infancy through to school readiness, serving a broad and growing catchment area.

Following a confidential sales process with Sofia Beck at Christie & Co, the settings have been purchased by Storal, which now has 59 settings across England.

Laura Ward and Annemarie Capper, former owners of Manor Day Nurseries, comment, “Building Gelston Manor and Little Manor has been one of the greatest achievements of our lives, and we are incredibly proud of the teams who have helped shape the nurseries into what they are today. After more than a decade, it felt like the right moment to hand the reins to a group that shares our values, and we’re confident that Storal will continue to nurture the culture, quality, and community that mean so much to us.”

Sarah Mackenzie, Chief Executive at Storal, comments, “Manor Day Nurseries is a high-quality group with a strong local reputation, and that is a reflection of the team Laura and Annemarie have built over many years. What makes this acquisition particularly exciting for us is the potential of both settings, particularly Gelston Manor. The setting, the outdoor environment and the way children learn through that space create a huge opportunity to do something genuinely special in the North West. Our focus now is on working alongside the team to build on what is already there, bringing investment, expertise and development opportunities that allow both nurseries to reach their full potential.”

Sofia Beck, Director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, comments, “Gelston Manor and Little Manor are truly special nurseries, built with enormous care, passion and commitment by Laura, Annemarie, Neil and Simon. From our first conversations, it was clear how much heart has gone into creating environments where children, families and staff can thrive. The business attracted strong interest, which is a real testament to the quality of the settings and the teams behind them. It has been a genuine pleasure to support the directors through this important milestone, and we are delighted to see the nurseries pass to Storal, a group that shares the same values and vision for outstanding childcare.”

The two settings were sold for an undisclosed price.

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