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Costs force demolition of childcare services centre

Emily Ford
BBC News
Binsteed Childcare Services A group of five staff members at Binsteed pose for a team photo. They are stood in front of a brick wall which has a mural painted in bright blues, greens, white yellow and orange. One man stands to the left, and four women stand alongside him. They are all wearing casual clothes or branded BCS t shirts which have a bumblebee logo on them and smile at the camera.Binsteed Childcare Services
Staff at Binsteed Childcare Services are looking for a new centre after being given six months' notice to evacuate

Staff at a childcare service say they are "devastated" after being told they have six months to leave their centre.

Binsteed Childcare Services has been operating from a Victorian school building in Buckland, Portsmouth for more than 30 years.

It is searching for a new home after being informed by its tenant, Portsmouth City Council, the building will be demolished.

A spokesperson for the authority said it could not afford the estimated £2.3m it would cost to renovate the property.

They added it had been a "difficult decision" but local authority budgets are "so stretched".

Binsteed Childcare Services An exterior view of the Victorian school building Binsteed currently operates from. It has tall arched windows painted white and red brick. There is a green and yellow square sign which reads Binstead Childcare Services Ltd and to the right of the image is a door, which has been pained bright blue with clouds and a yellow cartoon sunshine.Binsteed Childcare Services
The service has been operating out of a Victorian school building for more than three decades

Sue Jupp is the managing director and has worked in childcare services since 1984.

She said: "We have been here for many years. They [the council] are saying it's not cost effective."

Binsteed looks after up to 75 children "at any one time", Ms Jupp explained.

They offer childcare to 0 - 12 year olds between 07:00 and 18:00 BST Monday to Friday, but also offer holiday care.

Ms Jupp added: "That service will be greatly missed, because there isn't anywhere else that we know that offers it."

Binsteed Childcare Services Sue Jupp poses for a picture, she looks at the camera and is standing in a doorway, which has been decorated with a pink and purpole ballooon arch. Sue has shoulder length dark brown and grey hair, which is pushed away by a pair of sunglasses on her head. She wears a long sleeved v-neck black, brown and white stripe print top and black trousers.Binsteed Childcare Services
Sue Jupp and her team of 24 have approached a number of community spaces since receiving the news in February

Director, Natasha Godfrey, said she and their 24 members of staff were "gutted" by the news.

"It's devastating. We have contacted all the local churches, community hubs, schools and really we've got no joy, at the moment we have nothing," she explained.

"Six months takes us to the end of term in August, then we have a month to be out."

Binsteed Childcare Services A view of one of the Binsteed children's playrooms. Shows a play palace set up, made of wood which has a turret and a slide. In the centre of the room is a play area for babies and to the side is a table, with a mixture of children's chair and highchairs.Binsteed Childcare Services
Portsmouth City Council said it was not possible to fund refurbishments as local authority budgets are 'so stretched'

A city council spokesperson said rent for the building was £12,000 per year and therefore "not affordable" for refurbishments to get the building to an "acceptable standard".

They added the council "has no appropriate alternative accommodation to offer", but is working with the centre to "assist them with their next steps".

"Both the nursery and the council have been aware of these issues, but have been unable to find a workable solution to fund refurbishment," the spokesperson continued.

"The building is suffering significant issues with the structure due to its age, along with requiring a full overhaul of the roof, heating, sanitary facilities, and electrical systems."

'Not giving up'

A petition, which can be signed in person at the centre, has been started by staff and parents.

Ms Godfrey continued: "Everyone is looking out for somewhere we can move to.

"A lot of parents are staying with us and our staff aren't going anywhere. We are not giving up, we are all out looking."

The council said the future of the site would be decided once the building has been demolished.

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