THE WILLOWS Nursery School will close its doors for good in July, almost a year after being evicted from the building it had been occupying in Liphook.

As previously reported in the Post, the Willows was turned out of the building it had been using on Liphook Recreation Ground last summer.

A solution was found when the management committee of the Liphook Millennium Centre (LMC), allowed it to use the centre until this July.

However, the management committee weren’t prepared to let the Willows stay beyond next month.

Staff at The Willows tried to find a new permanent home, but have been unsuccessful and have made the difficult decision to close for good.

The manager and part-owner of the Willows Nursery School, Jackie Finlayson, said: “We have looked everywhere in Liphook, and Hampshire’s children’s services have also helped us in our search, but unfortunately we have had to call it a day.

“The parents have been really supportive and have also looked for somewhere for us. They have kept with us to the end and I would like to thank them for their loyalty.

“Many of our children are moving on to school next year, so at least we can go with the satisfied feeling that we saw them through to school.

“Obviously it is sad what has happened, and things could have been different.”

Jill Cooke plans to retire when the Willows closes, but Jackie and Jannice Bowles hope to continue working as registered childminders.

“We enjoy what we do and we would like to carry on,” said Jackie. Jackie is hoping to see the Willows off in style on their last day before closing. She said: “Our last day is July 14 and we will probably invite the parents and the children to a little party.”