Gorleston's Scribbles nursery to reopen former House of Fun

Kirsty Jenkins, who runs the Scribbles nursery group, is preparing to take over the former House of Fun on Longs Industrial Estate in Gorleston.

The nursery closed in September, on the first day of term, leaving parents and children in the lurch.

The closure prompted a petition to save the nursery which was signed by more than 600 people.

Kirsty Jenkins is really excited to be reopening the former House of Fun nursery in Gorleston. (Image: Supplied)

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Ms Jenkins said she was "really excited" to take over the premises and that it was "a lovely site".

Scribbles already operates nurseries on Gorleston High Street and in Beacon Park - and the former House of Fun will open, all going well, on January 2.

Children currently at her High Street premises will move to the former House of Fun nursery which has 160 spaces - while there are currently 120 children attending the High Street setting.

The High Street nursery will then be opened as a baby unit.

Ms Jenkins is expecting there will be an increase in demand for spaces next year when a new government funding scheme begins with 15 hours free childcare available for nine-month-old children.

The former House of Fun nursery shut abruptly in September. (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Jenkins, who has a background in childcare and early years intervention, opened Scribbles in 2014.

They will be celebrating their ten-year anniversary in February.

The House of Fun, which opened in 2003, employed more than 30 staff - but in May last year, it was bought by Glasgow-based company DK Acquisitions.

According to former staff, the company "never [showed] any interest in the nursery".

Ms Jenkins said that previous owners, who ran the nursery until it was bought by DK Acquisitions, have been "fantastic support".

"Hopefully they can see their legacy is carrying on," she added.