North-West nursery group buys fifth setting
Meredith Jones Russell
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Atherton House Group has acquired its fifth setting, as part of its expansion plans.
Family-run nursery group Atherton House has bought Rainbow Day Nursery in Lymm, Cheshire, its fifth setting in the North West.
The group’s latest acquisition was supported by funding from Santander UK as part of a long-term, seven-figure expansion strategy.
The new setting will provide 72 places and employ 24 members of staff, taking the group’s total number of childcare places to 321.
Atherton House Group was founded in 2001 by the Apel family. The business began with the acquisition of Atherton House School in Great Crosby, Liverpool, then expanded with the additions of Homeland Day Nursery in Altrincham and Richmond House Kindergarten in Hale in 2004.
In 2011, the family added Streatham House Nursery in Blundellsands, Liverpool, to its portfolio of nurseries.
Tim Apel, managing director of Atherton House Group, said, ‘We offer the very best start in life to the precious little ones in our care. The past year has been tough for us all and thanks to working closely with Santander UK, we have been able to meet our goals, and are on track to build our group profile, supporting our staff teams and communities in the North West.’
Luke Rowbotham, relationship director at Santander UK, added, ‘We are delighted to support Atherton House Group’s expansion through the acquisition of Rainbow Day Nursery. It is a well-known and respected family run children’s nursery business in the North West and we look forward to supporting its acquisition expansion strategy in coming years.’
