Hickory House nursery, run by Bright Horizons, provides childcare and education to employees of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), which are both based on the on the Porton Down site in Salisbury.
The closure of the site is expected to impact around 60 families using the setting and whose children were due to start there shortly.
Professor Isabel Oliver, chief scientific officer at UKHSA, said that they have taken the ‘difficult decision’ to close Hickory House, citing ‘significant investment’ required to refurbish the building and the need to ‘prioritise essential health security services’.
She added, ‘We understand the decision will have significant impact for a number of our staff and UKHSA will do all we can to support staff through this change.’
Local MP John Glen has written to the chief executive of UKHSA after receiving a ‘large volume’ of emails, letters and telephone calls from constituents ‘deeply upset by the decision’.
He said that that their 'disappointment has been intensified by the apparent lack of consultation or engagement with staff before an announcement was made.'
The MP went on to say that his constituents ‘feel frustrated’ that UKHSA has not, to date, engaged with Dstl or science park tenants about pooling resources to retain or replace the facility.
Hickory House nursery manager Mark said, ‘UKHSA…have expressed their appreciation for the professionalism and commitment from our nursery team and are working closely with us to ensure this process is managed as sensitively as possible.
‘We remain dedicated to our parent partnership and will support families to seek alternative childcare arrangements in the local area ready for a September transition. Our senior management are also working with our team to provide them with opportunities to continue their careers at Bright Horizons nurseries in the area.’
