A village pre-school which has been running more than 50 years is at risk of closure after losing its venue.

Lesley Reynolds, who runs Mayday Pre-school in Cuxton, says if the playschool cannot find a new venue, it will have to close at the end of this term on July 21.

While it has hired out Cuxton Community Church for the past 13 years, the church has decided not to renew Lesley’s contract after they failed to negotiate new terms and conditions over the lease. However, they did provide five months’ notice.

Lesley said: “It’s really devastating and so upsetting a business that I have managed for so long is being closed down through no fault of our own.

“I cannot begin to portray how deeply upsetting this situation has been for not only myself but my staff who have shown nothing but passion for their work and compassion for Mayday’s children and parents.

“I’m overwhelmed with the response from the community, the emails and messages of support have been fantastic. Even people that haven’t had children with us have pledged their support.”

Lesley has been running the playschool for nearly two decades, taking over from the previous owners in 2005.

The 62-year-old continued: “I have explored every avenue I know of to secure a new venue but to no avail, so my only option is to close at the end of term.”

Lesley said she is “open to any ideas” on potential new venues, adding that she feels “really let down”.

She continued: “Staff will lose their jobs and parents, children and our community will lose vital childcare.

“Mayday opened in the 1960s, and has seen many children from the village and surrounding communities come through their door.

“For the last 20 years I have managed Mayday which has played a huge part of my life.

“July 21 will be a sad day!”

Rev Bridget Banks said: “The United Reformed Church Southern Synod is saddened to confirm that the lease between Cuxton Community Church and Mayday Playschool will end on the last day of term in July.

“In February this year, the church advised the leaders of Mayday Playschool that the lease would not be renewed, providing five months’ notice for the playschool to find alternative premises in time for the new school year.

“We are not sure why the playschool has only just informed parents of this situation.

“Unfortunately, efforts by the church to negotiate new terms and conditions to the lease were unsuccessful.

“For example, the playschool has not signed leases issued for the past two terms. Despite this, the church has allowed the playschool the continued use of the building.”

The church said the cost-of-living crisis has placed financial challenges on many households, businesses and charities, and that as a registered charity, it is not immune to rising energy and maintenance costs.

They continued: “The church has an average of eight members in its congregation who are increasing in age, which in turn makes the challenges of maintaining the upkeep and safety of the church building more difficult.

“To stay compliant with health and safety regulations, to maintain the building and to be able to afford its rising energy costs and insurance premiums, the church had no choice but to raise the rent, which, despite the rise, was still well below market rates.

“Although the church has taken every step to work with the playschool, the church is deeply disappointed that the playschool has been unable to find alternative premises in the last four months and has decided to close. This is not an outcome the church wanted.

“Cuxton Community Church is rooted and passionate about serving the community which it has done for the past 126 years.”