STAFF at a pre-school in Box say they do not want to call it a day and close, after owners of the cricket club announced that they would not be renewing their lease at the end of the school year.

Sheelagh Jones, manager of the Magic Dragon Pre-school, which has been rated good consistently by Ofsted, said her staff were in disbelief after the cricket club told them they would not be able to use the pavilion on the High Street from the end of the school year in July.

“We have been in this building for about 14 and a half years,” she said. “This decision came out of the blue and we cannot get to the bottom of it.

“We pay our rent on time, we are good tenants and we repair little bits where we can but the cricket club has not really given us a reason as to why they are not renewing the lease.

“Obviously we respect their decision and we will leave but we have exhausted most of the possibilities in Box, although the parish council will be discussing it soon.”

The pre-school, which looks after 20 children and employs two full-time staff and one volunteer, needs to find a new building to house the business urgently.

However, despite ringing round local businesses, halls and schools, the pre-school has been left with very few options and may have to move out of Box or face closure.

“We don’t want to close,” Mrs Jones said. “I have been in childcare now for over 40 years and although it’s probably a sign that I should retire, it is my job and it’s a job for others and we love it and don’t want to give that up.

“It is one thing if you close because you want to, but it is another thing if you have to close because of someone else’s decision.

“Box cricket pavilion is on a lovely site and we will be sad to leave, but we have to be practical about it and find someone who can help us secure the future of the school.”

Lucy Jones, deputy manager, added: “We’ll be very sad to move out of the pavilion.

“We’ve been very happy here and the children have loved having lots of green space to play outdoors.”

The cricket club committee declined to comment on why the lease was being terminated.

Anyone who can help the Magic Dragon Pre-school by leasing their building, should email Mrs Jones on themagicdragonps@hotmail.com.