5/16/2016 | Childcare & Education

Somerset nursery group acquires second site through Christie & Co

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co is pleased to announce the sale of Miniatures Day Nursery, Ilton, Somerset to an existing local operator.

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The business was opened by Marion Gray over 18 years ago in response to local demand for high-quality, full day care provision. The 30 place setting is situated in a converted winery in a picturesque village within walking distance of local housing and schools and two local major towns. Ms Gray has since moved back into teaching thus enabling The Folly Nursery Ltd to acquire the business.

Mr Geoffrey Wilmot and Mrs Helen Freeman, the directors of The Folly Nursery Ltd currently operate The Folly Nursery and Pre-School which is located within the grounds of the former Dalwood Primary School in East Devon. Miniatures Day Nursery is located within a 30 minute drive of this bringing the operator’s total place offering to 76.

Corrina Jones, Childcare Business Agent at Christie & Co comments: “We were pleased to be able to help Ms Gray find suitable buyers within a few months of marketing the business and complete the sale in a timely manner.

“We value our relationships with all business owners and we wish Ms Gray all the luck with her new career and Mr Wilmot & Mrs Freeman all the best with their continued expansion of The Folly Nursery chain.

“We currently have a high number of registered buyers looking to acquire within the sector across the region. Now is therefore a good time to consider selling in order to take advantage of the strong competition.”

Commenting on the sale of the business, Ms Gray says: “I would like to thank Christie & Co for finding a buyer quickly and the professional manner in which they have handled the sale from instruction through to completion.”

In the last 12 months, Christie & Co has advised on nursery assets with a value of £733.6m and has the largest dedicated team of childcare business property agents in Europe.