Smiles all-round as Happy Days opens second nursery

21 September 2015

Happy Days has launched its much-anticipated second Midlothian nursery in Eskbank.

The expansive new facility in the Hardengreen area of the town has created 30 full-time jobs delivering a significant boost to the local economy.

Catering for up to 80 children, the nursery has been developed from a six-bed country house into a top of the range childcare centre.

The family firm’s expansion to new premises was assisted by funding from Clydesdale Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Edinburgh. The deal was facilitated by Relationship Manager Graeme Muir and his team.

With an existing nursery on Dalkeith High Street, Happy Days already offers full and part-time placements providing a high standard of care for children up to the age of twelve.

Established in 1992, the family-run nursery offers learning and development opportunities from pre-birth to toddlers to after school clubs.

The Dalkeith nursery was named as the best outdoor learning environment in the UK by Nursery Management Today for 2015.

Victoria Fryatt, Managing Director of Happy Days, said: “We’re delighted to be opening our Hardengreen nursery. It’s taken a lot of hard work and investment to develop the premises to our own high standards, but it has been absolutely worth it.

“The Hardengreen property comes with 3.8 acres of grounds that we’ll be putting to use to continue and improve our outdoor learning offering.

“We’ll be welcoming 80 new children and 30 new staff which is very exciting. Nursery places are in high demand in Midlothian so we decided the time was right to expand.

“Clydesdale Bank helped us develop our business when an opportunity arose. They’ve been trusted partners and advisers throughout the process.”

Stephen Buchan, Head of Clydesdale Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Edinburgh, said: “Happy Days is already a very well respected brand in the local community and their latest expansion will only serve to cement that reputation.

“After spotting a chance for growth and finding appropriate premises, Clydesdale Bank was approached to provide funding for purchase and renovation.

“The new nursery looks great and I’m sure all those who work and play there will enjoy the wide open spaces and top of the range facilities.”

Clydesdale Bank recently launched a series of lending initiatives for UK businesses, designed to encourage growth for new and existing customers. As well as capital-free periods for up to five years, the Bank has also introduced high percentage funding for businesses to purchase trading premises.

Clydesdale a Bank has strengthened its support for UK SMEs by becoming the first to partner with the British Business Bank under its ENABLE Guarantees scheme. Up to £125m of new lending by Clydesdale Bank will help more small businesses achieve their growth ambitions.