The Children’s Centre has announced it is to close its nursery in Ramsey.

Bonwick House will close in September, with the charity saying the loss-making nursery has seen falling demand and it is no longer economically viable.

Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson said it would be a real loss to the town - and he and fellow constituency MHK Lawrie Hooper would be speaking with other providers to try to boost childcare in the area.

He said: ’It is really disappointing to hear that the Children’s Centre is closing Bonwick House in Ramsey after September.

’They say it is for economic reasons and will close the nursery, after-school club and holiday clubs.

’The building will then be put up for sale.

’Although kids will be offered places at their nursery in Laxey this is a real loss to the town.

’Parklands do have spare capacity but working parents need choice. Lawrie Hooper and I are going to be discussing this with other providers to see if we can get more high quality, affordable childcare for the north.’

provision

Bonwick House provides nursery places for children aged over two, together with after school and holiday club provision.

It opened about 15 years ago, following the opening of the Children’s Centre nursery in Douglas.

At that time there was very little by way of childcare in the Isle of Man.

Seven children who attend the nursery and who are not old enough to go to school in September are being offered places at the Children’s Centre’s new Laxey Glen Nursery which opens that month.

There are also 10 children who attend the after school and holiday club.

In a statement, the Children’s Centre said: ’The decision is driven by reduced demand which has fallen over a period of time, and is forecast to continue to do so.

’Continuing would mean operating at an ongoing financial loss - because this would simply not be economically viable we have, reluctantly, decided to take the decision to close the Bonwick House nursery, after school, and holiday club with effect from Friday September 1.

’Pre-school nursery children are being offered places at Laxey Glen Nursery.’

The charity currently has one other nursery, at Woodbourne Road, Douglas, with a second one, at Laxey Glen, to open in September.

It said none of its other services is currently under threat, but added: ’However, all commercial activity has to be viable to support our charitable services.’