Merseyside nursery opens second site with £75,000 growth grant

Nursery Daisy Maisies carried out a conversion and property refit with the grant, creating a second setting and 18 jobs and allowing the company to meet the demand of a long waiting list for nursery places.

Looking to replicate the success of their original nursery in a second location, owners Jane and Terry O’Connor were referred to St Helens Chamber by Halton Borough Council.

Funded by the Regional Growth Fund, the MJGF is open for applications from businesses from within the Liverpool City Region looking to grow, including Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.

More than £2m of funding remains available but this must be awarded by March next year and paid out by 31 May.

Grants of up to £75,000 are accessible to provide investment for growth when suitable finance cannot be secured elsewhere.

Funding is available for a range of capital projects that will create new employment opportunities, such as purchasing premises, expanding buildings or capital expenditure on plant and machinery.

Co-owner Ms O’Connor said, ‘We have been able to grow and develop our team, employing and training more staff, while also allowing our existing staff to progress and gain promotions.’

Ms O’Connor added that they were supported throughout the application process with regards to all the paperwork by St Helens Chamber.

Geoff Bates, St Helens Chamber Regional Growth Fund programme manager, said, ‘Daisy Maisies is a successful company that approached us looking to replicate their proven template for success.

‘The project was meticulously planned and I have no doubts that the 18 jobs will be created as the new nursery continues to fill places.’