Quarrington pre-school at risk with church hall sale

Church officials said demand for the hire of the hall had decreased

A Lincolnshire pre-school has warned it faces closure after plans to sell the church hall where it is based were announced.

Staff at Quarrington pre-school said they had been told to vacate the premises by the end of July.

Despite efforts to find new premises nearby, staff said they had to accept "there is nothing we can do".

Church officials said demand for the hire of the hall, which required "significant repairs", had decreased.

In a letter to parents and carers, the school said: "It is with immense sadness that we have to inform you that the pre-school will be closing forever on the last day of term.

"Last week, the vicar informed us that the church are selling the hall and we have to vacate by the end of July."

It said its aim now was to spend as much time as possible "playing and having fun with the children before we have to say goodbye".

"We are so proud of each and every child," the letter read.

In response, some took to social media to share their concerns.

One woman said the pre-school was an important part of the local community.

Another wrote: "Such a shame, I went to that playgroup in that building, and I'm 54."

Some also criticised the church over the decision to sell the building.

Church officials said they were looking for a buyer who would continue to use St Botolph's community hall for the purpose for which it was bought, and wanted to give users as much notice as possible.

Rev Rebecca Rock said: "The hall is in need of some significant repairs and refurbishment and demand for the hire of the hall has decreased, making the ongoing sustainability of managing the hall a concern for the Parochial Church Council (PCC).

"The use by the church for meetings and worship purposes has also declined," she said.

Rev Rock said the PCC had "explored several different options", but were now in the early stages of negotiating the sale of the hall.

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