22 August 2004

A NEW children’s day nursery is flourishing after avoiding potential legal hazards, thanks to business and legal assistance from a Harrogate law firm.

Safehands Day Nursery, Kent Road, is planning to extend its outdoor play and learning facilities after start-up legal advice to the new venture from Barber Titleys.

The new ten-room, two-floor nursery in an Edwardian detached house, which was formerly a residential home, offers 70 places and cares for children from throughout the Harrogate district.

Safehands Day Nursery Ltd managing director and nursery manager, Fiona Kinnear, says: “This property was integral to establishing Safehands because Harrogate planners stipulated that it had to stay within the `community use’ bracket which includes a children’s day nursery so we were confident of getting planning permission.

“We were very keen to move in quickly but Barber Titleys advised that the arrangements initially proposed for leasing the property were too onerous and urged us to invest and purchase the property instead.

“Barber Titleys also helped us to arrange finance, acquire the premises and restructure our company to take account of investments in the property. Although this required a larger initial investment, it is far better for our long-term future. If we had not followed the advice we were given, we would certainly not be in a position to maker further investments now.

“It seemed straightforward but we learnt the benefits of sound commercial property advice from Barber Titleys’ experience.”

The head of Barber Titleys property department, Richard Davis, a partner, says: “Many new enterprises fail through getting the fundamentals wrong at the start. Securing a property for a new business can be complex as they need to control their overheads and liabilities. We are delighted to have supported the launch of this exciting venture into the Harrogate nursery market.”

Safehands Day Nursery provides care for the children of working and non-working parents and says demand is increasing as non-working parents see the benefits of helping their children learn social interaction at an early age.

Ends

For further details on Barber Titleys, please contact marketing manager, Michelle Crowhurst. Tel (01423) 501122. For further details on Safehands Day Nursery, please contact Fiona Kinnear. Tel: (01423) 525544.

Press contact: Mike Clarke, Mike Clarke Communications, tel (01423) 568847.