Treetops acquires Toybox Nurseries chain
Katy Morton
Friday, February 15, 2013
Treetops has acquired Bedfordshire chain Toybox Nurseries bringing the group closer to its goal of having 50 settings within the next two years.
The acquisition of three out of four settings owned by Toybox Nurseries brings the total number of nurseries in the group to 34, offering a total of 2,478 places.
The three settings in Biggleswade, Stotfold and Sandy, two of which are rated outstanding by Ofsted, will undergo a £150,000 refurbishment and be re-branded with the Treetops Nurseries logo. A further £30,000 is being spent on new equipment.
The current owners are keeping the remaining Toybox setting, which was opened last month in Denham.
Toybox Nurseries was runner-up in the Nursery World Awards 2012 for Nursery Chain of the Year.
David Hancock, managing director of Treetops, said, ‘During 2009/10 we expanded to 31 sites by adding seven nurseries through two transactions. In 2011/12 we restructured the group and this was followed by a period of relative calm in 2012.
‘We have always been keen for further growth so I was delighted with the possibility of acquiring Toybox. Our investors are keen for us to grow the business and have confirmed additional funds are available to push forward with further acquisitions. The Bedfordshire nurseries are an ideal addition to the group and the staff seem genuinely excited about our arrival.’
He added, ‘Our goal is to have 50 nurseries within the next two years. In particular, we are looking for small chains.’
The three settings in Biggleswade, Stotfold and Sandy, two of which are rated outstanding by Ofsted, will undergo a £150,000 refurbishment and be re-branded with the Treetops Nurseries logo. A further £30,000 is being spent on new equipment.
The current owners are keeping the remaining Toybox setting, which was opened last month in Denham.
Toybox Nurseries was runner-up in the Nursery World Awards 2012 for Nursery Chain of the Year.
David Hancock, managing director of Treetops, said, ‘During 2009/10 we expanded to 31 sites by adding seven nurseries through two transactions. In 2011/12 we restructured the group and this was followed by a period of relative calm in 2012.
‘We have always been keen for further growth so I was delighted with the possibility of acquiring Toybox. Our investors are keen for us to grow the business and have confirmed additional funds are available to push forward with further acquisitions. The Bedfordshire nurseries are an ideal addition to the group and the staff seem genuinely excited about our arrival.’
He added, ‘Our goal is to have 50 nurseries within the next two years. In particular, we are looking for small chains.’
