The mums and dad need investors to help them take over Treetop Children’s Centre

Parents are calling on local businesses to invest in their company which would keep a popular children’s nursery open.

The mums and dads are hopeful they can take over the nursery at Treetops Children’s Centre, in Doyle Gardens, Willesden, despite Brent Council voting to close it in February.

Cuts in local government funding means the local authority can no longer afford to subsidise children’s care.

However, it is inviting private bidders to take over the nursery so it can stay open.

The parents are now working to set up their own company, but in order to get it off the ground they are hoping local businesses can pledge some funds.

Charlotte Sones, whose daughter Margot attends Treetops, said: “Even though our business would take the form of a community interest company, like any private company, for our bid to be successful we will still need start-up capital to cover wages, rates, rent and current inventory.

“We are exploring a number of avenues for this, including prepayment of fees from those parents in a financial position to do so.

“Another avenue is appealing to local businesses for financial pledges in support of our campaign.”

Brent accountancy firm, Michael Smith & Company, has started the ball rolling with a very generous pledge of �500.

Owner Mr Smith said: “I wish them all the very, very best in their endeavour.”

The campaigners are now hoping other companies will follow suit with donations and it doesn’t matter how big or small the contribution.

If the nursery stays open, it means parents, and in particular women, will be able to stay in work.

Alternatively there might be businesses in a position to give the parents a short term loan or support services.

Anybody in a position to support the group can contact it by visiting savetreetops@gmail.com or to simply email with your contact details and the amount you would like to pledge.

The deadline to submit applications from private bidders is mid-April and anyone with an interest in running the building as a nursery should contact the council. The council will stop running the nursery in July.