Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of two Tameside day nurseries to Kids Planet.

The settings, both trading as Clockwork Day Nursery under the Clockwork Childcare brand, provide exceptional childcare, offering inspiring indoor and outdoor learning facilities for children aged zero to 12 years. They occupy converted and impeccably maintained two-storey detached properties just two miles apart in Tameside, Greater Manchester; one in Ashton-under-Lyne, one in Audenshaw.

Established by Lorna Meredith, the Ashton nursery, which opened in 2002, grew consistently over the years and, following successful trading and due to high demand in the local area, Lorna opened the Audenshaw nursery in 2016. She recently decided to sell as she felt it was the right time to begin a new chapter.

Following a confidential sales process through Christie & Co, the settings have been sold to national provider, Kids Planet, which now owns 129 settings.

Lorna Meredith commented: “Making the decision to sell ‘my baby’ was the hardest I have ever had to make! I have spent the last 20 years of blood, sweat and tears building the Clockwork name and the best team, which has resulted in a very successful small group with a fantastic reputation. It was extremely important to me to find the ‘right fit’ as a buyer who could sustain investment going forward, maintain high standards of childcare for our families, and continue to develop our teams.

“I know the settings are in very capable hands with Kids Planet who, even though a large growing group, still have a family-centred ethos and approach. They have been straight-forward and collaborative throughout the whole acquisition process and I wish them every success with these settings as part of their group.”

Clare Roberts, chief executive at Kids Planet, commented: “We are delighted to have Clockwork Childcare as part of our nursery group. It’s a company we have admired for a long time and are excited to continue to build on the success that Lorna and her team have had. I look forward to watching them grow on their journey into the Kids Planet family.”

Sofia Beck, director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, added: “We have had a great relationship with Lorna for a number of years, and really welcomed the opportunity to assist her with her exit plan. Unsurprisingly, there were multiple interested parties and offers received, with Lorna ultimately deciding that Kids Planet would be the best overall fit for her much-loved nurseries and staff team.

“The North-West nursery market continues to thrive, with notable interest increasing specifically in Greater Manchester locations which may have previously been considered less desirable. As the Manchester residential market reaches record highs, there seems to be a knock-on effect with buyer activity in the childcare sector. The more people and companies (particularly young families) which relocate to Manchester, the further demand there is for early years childcare, and higher fees being achieved.”

The Clockwork Day Nursery settings were sold for an undisclosed price.