Nursery rises from the ashes of Smarties in Ripley

A new nursery run by many former members of staff at Smarties in Ripley has opened.

Smartie Land in nearby Brearton is a joint venture between Lesley Kelsey, who was a director at Smarties, and Viscount Mountgarret, who lives in South Stainley.

The nursery, which also operates a holiday club, is situated in former kennels on Viscount Mountgarret’s estate.

Ms Kelsey said the business, which opened this month and can cater for 62 children, benefited from its rural setting and spacious facilities.

She said:

“The closure of Smarties left a gap. When it closed we had about 90 children on our books.

“Houses are going up left, right and centre around Harrogate and they tend to attract families and we are here for them.

“Smarties was a one-off. It wasn’t part of a chain and this will be the same. You can offer a different service when you’re not part of a chain.”

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Smarties, which opened in 1987 and catered for 52 children, closed last year.

The building is part of the Ripley estate owned by Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby, who decided not to renew the lease.

This month Harrogate Borough Council approved plans by Sir Thomas to convert the former nursery into a house.

Ripley’s Smarties nursery could reopen in new location

Smarties Day Nursery and Pre-School in Ripley, which closed in March after its landlord decided not to renew its lease, could reopen at a new location four miles away in Brearton.

The nursery opened in 1987 and catered for 52 children. The building it was in is part of the Ripley estate and is owned by Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby.

Its closure promoted an emotional response from many parents on the Stray Ferret’s Facebook page, with one saying she was “absolutely gutted” and another calling it “really sad news”.

The management of Smarties has now applied to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the former Spotty Dog Boarding Kennels in Brearton, which closed in April, into a new nursery.

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As part of the application, a letter was sent to the council by Smarties’ management, which called the site in Brearton “a perfect setting for a children’s nursery” with indoor and secure outdoor play.

It would be open from 7.30am until 6pm Monday to Friday for children between the ages of three months to 11 years.

The letter added:

“The site provides a rural setting away from main roads and has the benefit of excellent outdoor space for child learning and development.

“Consistently rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted there is a definite need for quality day care in this location which will provide full and part time employment opportunities for local people and a valuable community service for the parents in the area.”

Harrogate Borough Council will decide on the plans at a later date.