Cresswood nursery evicted after 21 ‘happy’ years in Gospel Oak
Camden Council says that resurrected tenants association wants hall space back for activities
A NURSERY that has operated at a tenants and residents hall in Gospel Oak for more than 20 years is being evicted.
Council chiefs have told staff at Cresswood nursery they must leave the building on the Cressfield and Woodyard estate, spelling an end to the private operation.
The nursery has not yet been given a reason for the eviction, but council chiefs told the New Journal a previously defunct tenants and residents association has reformed and says it wants the space back.
The Cressfield and Woodyard estate tenants and residents association want to launch a range of activities such as luncheon clubs and drop-in advice services.
But parents of the 25 children who attend Cresswood every day have spoken of their distress at losing their nursery.
Kelly Swain, whose three-year-old son Jimmy has been attending for a year and a half, said: “I’m absolutely heartbroken. I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about this nursery – the things they’ve done with my son are amazing.
“There’s no way the tenants association are going to be able to afford to use the hall every day, which is such a waste.
“There’s five jobs being lost and parents who are going to struggle to find somewhere else for their kids to go.
“I’m training to go back to work next year but at this rate I’ll be on the dole queue because there will be no nurseries to go to.”
Tolu Smith, of Grafton Road, father of three-year-old Toby, added: “This will affect us very seriously. I think we will have to try and find an au pair or someone to watch him so we can go to work, but that’s extra expense. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
And three-year-old Ariam’s mum Shewa Kesete said: “She is very happy here but every morning for three weeks she’s been crying.”
The nursery, which is open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5.30pm, has, until now, paid for the upkeep of the council-owned building and argue it would be dilapidated without their care over the years.
Owner Jill Allery said she could not continue to run Cresswood in any alternative premises when they leave as spiralling costs mean they wouldn’t be able to cover their overheads. She said: “We have been let down badly by the council but we have been inundated with support from the local community. I’m particularly grateful for the support of residents of the Cressfield and Woodyard estate over the years. “We have had 21 happy years here and we are sad to leave.”
This is not the first time Cresswood has faced eviction. In 2009, the council abandoned plans to shut it just a month before doors were due to close.
A council spokesman said: “In 2009, the tenants and residents association was resurrected. We have tried to facilitate shared use, but the TRA want to use the hall during the day for various events, including a luncheon club and drop-in advice sessions.”
Cuts to early years services – including the closure of Caversham and Acol Children’s Centres – has put pressure on affordable nursery places across the borough.
The tenants association declined to comment.
Published: 14th July, 2011
by JOSIE HINTON