Hackney nursery ordered to vacate church premises by September 11

St Michael's Nurseries, located in the basement and grounds of the Church of St Jude in Blurton Road, Lower Clapton, has been ordered to vacate its premises by September 11, 2026. The directive follows a property dispute that has spanned nearly a decade between the nursery and its landlord, the parish of St Jude, Clapton Park, which is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster.

A court order issued on June 9, 2026, mandated that the nursery surrender possession of the premises by the specified September date. The nursery's original lease concluded at the end of 2015, and it has occupied the space as a tenant at will since that time. Parents have expressed concern that the eviction could leave them without childcare provision.

Council Support for Relocation

Hackney Council stated it was first made aware of the situation last week when the nursery sought assistance. Cllr Soraya Adejare, cabinet member for children, young people and early intervention, confirmed the council's involvement. The council is supporting St Michael's Nurseries in its efforts to secure Ofsted registration for a new site, and has requested that the regulator expedite this process. The nursery has indicated it is progressing plans for two potential new locations.

While the council has no statutory duty to find alternative premises for a private nursery, it has provided support within the timeframe it has been aware of the issue. The council also noted that its Family Information Service is available to assist parents with finding alternative childcare options if the new site is not registered in time. The 60-place nursery is not operating at full capacity, and funded early years entitlement is portable to other settings.

Dispute History and Costs

The Diocese of Westminster stated that the parish had provided sufficient time for arrangements to be made, and that a request for a lease extension by the nursery was refused. Parents had argued that an extension was necessary to allow for a smooth relocation, secure new premises, maintain the children's cohort, and enable families to make contingency plans. They highlighted that Ofsted registration alone can take up to 25 weeks.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Westminster explained that the parish's decision not to agree to a new tenancy or extension was influenced by the prolonged nature of the dispute, the costs incurred, and previous failed negotiation attempts. The parish has reported incurring over £100,000 in costs related to the matter. The nursery occupied the space at a below-market rent and, despite contractual obligations, did not contribute to heating or power costs, according to the diocese.

The parish initially served notice for the nursery to vacate by June 2, 2025. When the nursery did not leave, court proceedings were initiated. The court order on September 11, 2026, also requires the nursery to pay legal costs and mesne profits to the parish for its continued occupation after the tenancy ended. The diocese indicated it would seek a warrant of possession if the premises were not vacated.

St Michael's Nurseries informed parents of the situation on August 7, 2026, stating that the parish would not renew their tenancy but that relocation plans were underway. The nursery assured parents that it was not closing and that all children would continue at the new premises. The communication did not explicitly state that the September 11 date was set by a court order, nor that the nursery had defended court proceedings two months prior.

What Happens Next

The parish of St Jude intends to identify another nursery to occupy the space once it has been returned and restored, as part of its commitment to serving the community. St Michael's Nurseries is actively working to secure and prepare new premises, with the exact timetable dependent on available locations and regulatory approvals.