Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Happy Kidz Day Nursery, James Reckitt Avenue in Hull. Established in 1996 by Mrs Anita and Mr Ian Anderson, Happy Kidz Day Nursery provides day care to up to 72 children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old. This freehold setting holds a prominent main road location with easy access to Hull town centre and the Humber Bridge. Over the years, it has built an enviable local reputation, and is a popular choice with parents in both the immediate locality and surrounding towns and villages. It also boasts a number of accolades including Excellence in Childcare, and the National Day Nurseries Association’s ‘Quality Counts’ Accreditation. Happy Kidz is one of two Hull settings owned by Anita and Ian, with the other sitting close by on Holderness Road. The pair decided to sell their James Reckitt Avenue setting to allow them to spend more time with their family. Following a confidential sales process, the nursery has been purchased by Mr Tejinder Bal who has previously owned bars and restaurants in Birmingham and was keen to enter the childcare sector. Mr Bal says: “I’ve operated multiple businesses in the hospitality industry for a number of years but, as I’ve grown older, I’ve begun to feel a stronger need for intrinsic rewards from my work-life, which is something I have felt, up to now, has been missing. This was the biggest factor in wanting to enter the childcare sector as I would be working within a business that would help shape future generations. “Going into a completely new industry, it was important that the targeted business had a strong track record and, with Happy Kidz operating for 25 years, it definitely fit the bill. In addition, I was filled with confidence by the fact that there is a strong management team in place complimented by an experienced team of nursery practitioners which made the decision to pursue the purchase that much easier. “In the short-term, I do not plan to make any immediate changes as the business is performing well. I will, however, take this opportunity to learn and observe and, with the input of management and external consultants, look to implement procedures and processes to fine tune the business offering so that we will offer children and parents a truly outstanding service that we can all be proud of.” Mrs Anderson says: “I have held the business for 25 years, and so selling it has been emotional. It feels like one of your children is leaving home to start a new chapter in their life, it’s exciting for them but, at the same time, it’s hard to let go, especially as several of my staff have been with me for more than 10 years, and one person for 18 years. I believe that the new owner will take care of the nursery and my staff, and can help it in its new phase, and I wish him all the best with his new venture.” Vicky Marsland, associate director – childcare & education at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, says: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Anita who has handled the process very professionally throughout. I’m very excited to see Mr Bal drive the business forward, allowing Anita and Ian to spend more quality time with family overseas. This is a fantastic example of the opportunities available for new entrants to the sector and those looking to expand.” Lawrence Roberts, associate director at Christie Finance, who sourced funding for Tejinder Bal, says: “I am so pleased for Tej and I want to thank him for his continued trust in me to deliver a competitive funding package, so that he can purchase Happy Kidz Day Nursery. Being a first-time buyer in the sector, it was important to find a day nursery that was performing well, but also to have the right team around him to make it happen. I believe that Tej will be a success and I wish him all the best!” Legal advice for the sellers was provided by Paul Worthy at Hamers Solicitors. Legal advice for the buyer was provided by Jas Singh at Pickfords Solicitors. Happy Kidz Day Nursery was sold for an undisclosed price.

A contractor has been appointed to carry out quantity surveying services for the Queens Gardens redevelopment scheme. Hull City Council has published a decision record confirming the award of contract to Focus Consultants 2010 LLP for the sum of £71,344, to support the delivery of the refurbishment works at Queens Gardens, which are scheduled to take place between spring 2022 and winter 2023. This aspect of the project focuses on the provision of specialist quantity surveying advice and support, which is not available in-house. The £11.7m Queens Gardens redevelopment includes the improvement of accessibility and visitor flows, delivery of structural repairs through rebuilding the perimeter walls, introduction of bespoke pieces of public art, improvement of biodiversity and the regeneration of a much-loved open space. The project will make the gardens fit for purpose, futureproofing the space and its ability to host large-scale events. The history of the gardens will be incorporated in its design, reconnecting it with the origins of the space as a former dock. The project includes the refurbishment of the Rose Bowl and its historic fountain, the inclusion of various art installations and the creation of a large and flexible event space, as well as incorporating modern, eco-friendly features including electric charging points for taxis and the introduction of plants and trees to increase the gardens’ biodiversity.

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter has landed a place on the largest part of a £415m, five-year design and build framework for ports. Associated British Ports (ABP) has named 11 partner contractors to deliver an ambitious building programme at its 21 ports, across five regions of the UK. The work will be focused on the design and build, as well as construct-only agreements, of buildings at the ports. Hobson & Porter has been selected for the framework’s Humber region, which covers ABP’s largest port area including Hull, Immingham, Grimsby and Goole. The news follows Hobson & Porter recently securing a place on two new regional medium works YORbuild frameworks, which are expected to account for over £640m of spending over the next four years. These cover the YORhub east region led by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and the west region led by Leeds City Council. These complement Hobson & Porter’s growing portfolio of frameworks including North Lincolnshire Council, Pagabo Medium Works, Efficiency North, Brierley Homes, Lidl and North East Lincolnshire Council. Joe Booth, business development director at Hobson & Porter, said: “Securing a place on the ABP framework follows a rigorous selection process and it is a fantastic achievement for both Hobson & Porter and our valued supply chain across East Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire. “It has the potential to shape the future development of the main ports on the Humber, which will ultimately benefit global trade for the UK and the local economies in the areas surrounding these ports.” Hobson & Porter has a wealth of experience in industrial, logistics and distribution projects throughout the region, which includes recently extending Ørsted’s flagship £9m East Coast Hub, at the Royal Docks in Grimsby, to create the largest offshore wind operations and maintenance facility in the UK.

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Gargrave Dental Practice in the North Yorkshire village of Gargrave. Established in 1990, Gargrave Dental Practice is a mixed-income practice with one fitted surgery and potential to add a second. It enjoys a prominent position in the heart of the village of Gargrave, approximately four miles north west of Skipton and roughly 20 miles north west of Bradford. The business was acquired by Dr David Jackson in 1990 and was recently brought to market to allow him to pursue a well-earned retirement. Following a confidential sales process, Gargrave Dental Practice has been purchased by husband-and-wife team, Raj and Gabby Khela. Gabby has been an associate for over five years and has also worked in emergency care dentistry, and Raj is a qualified barrister turned property investor/developer. Gabby will focus on the dentistry functions of Gargrave Dental Practice, whilst Raj will take care of other matters including HR, regulatory work, and property related matters. The pair are “looking to upgrade and modernise the practice with the implementation of a new IT system, card payments and the addition of a second surgery to provide DDA compliant access.” Additionally, they are “currently undergoing a phased revamp including new decor, flooring throughout, LED lighting and upstairs full surgery refurbishment.” Dr Jackson says: “I’ve owned the practice since 1990. The patient base was tiny when I got it but this rapidly increased and I’m proud of the practice it has grown into. I’m really pleased to have sold the practice to Gabby and Raj and hope that they continue the dental business that I’ve grown over the years.” Olivia Allison, senior business agent – medical at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, says: “I’m so pleased to have helped David with the sale of the practice, it’s such a great business and situated in a really lovely village. There is huge potential to grow this practice, and I have no doubt that it will be taken to its full potential by the very capable hands of Gabby and Raj Khela. “Gargrave could be described as a slightly more rural village and the sale of Gargrave Dental Practice shows that there is demand for both rural and city location practices.” Gargrave Dental Practice was sold for an undisclosed price.