Background
Elmbridge Council sought to revitalise a disused community building in Cobham, previously operating as a part-time day nursery within a former scout hut. Keen to preserve the site’s community value while ensuring it was brought back into productive use, the Council appointed Bernard Gordon & Co to market the property.
With extensive experience in education and childcare properties, we were tasked with finding a reliable tenant capable of transforming the space into a high-quality nursery that would meet growing local demand for early years childcare. Our goal was to identify an operator who could invest in refurbishment while offering stability and long-term community benefit.
Challenges
Marketing a building of this nature required careful management of several challenges. The property’s previous use meant it needed significant refurbishment to comply with modern Ofsted and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards. Accessibility, fire safety, and safeguarding requirements had to be reviewed and integrated into the design plans before a lease could be agreed. The Council’s objective was not simply to achieve a strong rental return but to ensure that the site continued to serve the local community, which limited the pool of potential tenants to operators in the childcare or educational sectors. Additionally, interest was expected to be high, so the process had to remain transparent, competitive, and compliant with public sector disposal regulations. Balancing community objectives, financial value, and regulatory compliance required both strategic marketing and sensitive stakeholder management.
Solution
Bernard Gordon & Co launched a targeted marketing campaign, focusing exclusively on established nursery operators with a proven record of quality and compliance. We produced detailed property particulars highlighting the building’s community use designation and its potential for adaptation into a modern day nursery. The campaign generated exceptional interest, resulting in multiple offers well above the guideline rental. Throughout negotiations, we advised Elmbridge Council on bid evaluation, tenant covenant strength, and lease structure to ensure the chosen operator would invest appropriately in refurbishment while providing long-term operational stability. Our due diligence process covered planning use under Class F1(a) Education, and we ensured all necessary building and fire safety adaptations were incorporated into the agreed terms. Following the Council’s approval, we successfully concluded a letting to a well-regarded nursery operator committed to high-quality childcare provision.
Result
The outcome exceeded expectations. The property is now undergoing comprehensive refurbishment, transforming the former scout hut into a bright, modern, and fully compliant day nursery scheduled to open soon. The new facility will provide vital local childcare capacity and employment opportunities while maintaining the community focus originally intended by the Council.
“Working with Bernard Gordon & Company was an excellent experience—they were brilliant from start to finish and made the whole process smooth and straightforward. Their specialist knowledge of this market and their extensive contacts ensured we were able to identify the best tenants for our building and minimised our void.”
Sarah Kingston – Elmbridge Council
This transaction reaffirmed Bernard Gordon & Co’s reputation and commitment to clients, including local authorities, seeking to repurpose community buildings for sustainable educational or childcare use.
Lessons Learned
Public sector clients benefit from a tailored marketing approach that balances community value with commercial success. Early engagement with Ofsted and planning advisors ensures that refurbishment and lease terms fully align with operational and compliance requirements before occupation begins.
Outcome
The Cobham case highlights how strategic marketing, sector knowledge, and careful tenant selection can breathe new life into underused community assets. We continue to support local authorities and private owners in transforming properties into high-quality educational and childcare environments.
Get in touch with the team to discuss how we can help you lease or repurpose community buildings for educational or nursery use.