Family-owned nursery business to create 35 Tameside jobs

A North West children’s nursery firm is set to create a raft of new jobs with the launch of its second venue.

Owned by father and daughter Jack and Lorna Meredith, Clockwork Day Nursery invested £350k to turn a former Tameside church into a modern nursery centre.

Clockwork’s new site on Mount Pleasant Street in Audenshaw will create 35 jobs and have space for as many as 78 children aged up to four years.

In addition to its core nursery offer, Clockwork will use the venue as an out-of-school club and a holiday club for up to 24 children aged 4-12.

Jack and Lorna founded Clockwork in 2002 with their first nursery on Queen Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, after Lorna was unable to find suitable local nursery provision for her son Jack and identified a gap in the market.

Lorna, who turned to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for funding, believes the time was right for Clockwork to expand.

She said: “We felt there was room in the area for good quality childcare and this location is perfect, as it is near local schools, the train station and motorway.

“The old church building in Audenshaw had a similar feel to our Ashton nursery, as well as the capacity and space we needed.”

Lorna added: “We have retained many original features, and have refurbished the building in a modern way with lots of natural light, giving an airy and open-plan feel yet with all the children’s rooms still feeling warm and cosy.”

Paul Westwell, a partner at Tameside-based law firm Bromleys, advised Clockwork on the purchase of the former church building.

He commented: “Clockwork has gone from strength to strength in Ashton and has built a fine reputation.

“The new site in Audenshaw is well-located and, as well as providing childcare facilities for local families, creates new job opportunities. We are delighted to have advised Clockwork on its expansion.”

RBS’ director of commercial banking for North West healthcare, Anne-Marie Jones, said: “Lorna has tremendous vision, working with parents to provide the best-possible care provision and pre-school learning.

“Clockwork embraces traditional buildings and develops a thoroughly modern environment, ensuring outdoor play and learning are incorporated into the design of its nurseries.”

She continued: “We were delighted to support Clockwork in the development of its second nursery and wish Lorna every success for the future.”

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