Nursery given stay of execution until summer

St Leonard's Nursery has agreed a short-term lease to stay open until July

A nursery has been given a temporary stay of execution until the end of the academic year in July after initially fearing they would have to close immediately.

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

After negotiations between nursery staff and the parochial church council (PCC) the nursery has now agreed a short-term lease.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Sheffield said: "There is sadness on all parts about this, but there is a good understanding of the reasons why this needs to be the case."

The nursery has been running from St Leonard's Church in Norwood since 1995

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

The PPC is currently renovating sections of the church and said it would now like to "develop its ministries" after finding "limited space available" within the building.

In a statement a spokesperson for the Diocese of Sheffield said: "We acknowledge that this situation has been very difficult, recognising especially the vital role the nursery has played in serving local families over the last 30 years at St Leonard's."

Nichola Tompkins, the nursery's assistant manager, said: "It's not what we wanted for the long-term future but the extension is now in place.

"Unless we find alternative premises the nursery will close at the end of the academic year, which is middle of July," she said.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North