A sting in the tale (From Free Press Series)

A sting in the tale

SHATTERED by the loss of a two-year battle against eviction, a Cwmbran crche owner has ensured that others benefit from her misfortune.

In four years of business at Busy Bees Crche, owner Nicola Sims, pictured above, amassed a myriad of toys and books, which she now plans to give other local nurseries.

The crche occupied premises on Caradoc Road, and children spent their last day at the crche on Friday making way for the planned arrival to the premises of Domino's Pizza.

Despite now being left unemployed Ms Sims is hoping that others can benefit from her misfortune, and after the last day of business she has bagged up a few goodies for other childcare facilities.

"I know how precious equipment is and by doing this some children can have a bit of fun out of it and hopefully a little bit of good can come out of a bad situation," she said.

Bags of toys, books, even a ball pool are en route to Little Stars Nursery in Mamhilad and Belle View nursery in Cwmbran.

Despite bitter legal wrangling with the planners and landlords, the crche owner lost out to Domino's Pizza - who are set to occupy the building.

A decision made at a closed court in Newport last week meant the end of business, when a judge ruled they must move by the end of the month.

Nicola Sims said: "It has had such a massive knock- on effect - some parents who had worked part-time now may have to hand in their notice because their only alternative is to pay for a full day's child care, which is expensive!"

Torfaen County Borough Council turned down the original planning application but their decision was overturned by the Welsh Assembly planning inspector.

Ms Sims said: "It strikes me as unusual that a focus of the Welsh Assembly is childcare and healthy eating and they have closed a child care place for a fast food store."