Nursery eviction raises questions as ferry uncertainty and road upgrades continue
From a Lymington nursery eviction to ferry uncertainty, business awards and road upgrades - the stories shaping the New Forest this month
As the year (almost) draws to a close, I want to begin this month’s New Forest Dispatch briefing by wishing you a happy festive season. And share my gratitude at your being here and continuing to support the publication.
December’s monthly briefing brings together stories that reflect both pressure and resilience across the New Forest - from the closure of a local nursery and ongoing uncertainty around Hythe Ferry, to council decisions, business developments and infrastructure projects affecting life here in the forest.
Kerri L Watt
Editor
Lymington nursery issued eviction notice as owner disputes council claims
The Nurture Den nursery in Lymington has been asked to leave its premises leaving the owner “devastated” and parents struggling for childcare in the New Year.
Lymington and Pennington Town Council gave the nursery under three weeks to vacate following claims of missed meetings and a year-long dispute of unpaid utility bills, rent and fire door repair requests.
Nursery owner Sarah Renyard said, “We were only three weeks late for just one rent payment, November, and that was due to our government funding coming in late.
“The day after we made the November and December payment together, we received the letter asking us to leave with no warning.”
The town council said the eviction notice followed unpaid bills and the nursery owner’s failure to attend scheduled meetings. The nursery owner told New Forest Dispatch she had been extremely unwell at the time of the two arranged meeting and had notified the council in advance, but said the message was not seen before the meeting took place.
Sarah said the unpaid bills dispute related to the one month missed rent and a high water bill after a neighbouring property water leak resulted in them being “incorrectly billed“ £1,000 by the council.
“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done”
Sarah Renyard, Owner, The Nurture Den
She told us, “Telling staff and parents our nursery was facing closure felt like dropping a bomb, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
In a statement shared with New Forest Dispatch, the Mayor of Lymington and Pennington, Councillor Colm McCarthy, said the original timescale was chosen “in the hope that parents could find alternative childcare provision in time for the new term.”
Cllr McCarthy stated the council had listened to feedback from parents and recognised the need for additional time to secure childcare, particularly for children with more complex needs.
As a result, the council has offered The Nurture Den an extension up to the end of February 2026, to allow parents the time to find alternative provisions.
The extension is subject to paying any outstanding fees and rent for the extension period paid in advance.
Nursery owner Sarah told New Forest Dispatch earlier this week that a number of parents had already secured alternative childcare after being informed the nursery was set to close, resulting in a drop in remaining numbers.
“The damage is done”
Sarah Renyard, Owner, The Nurture Den
When first offered the extension, Sarah said she would assess whether the number of children still enrolled, and the upfront payment requirements, would make an extension financially viable.
Two days later, Sarah told NFD she believes “the damage is done” and said the proposed extension “has not helped at all”. She says parents no longer feel secure and other childcare settings are encouraging families to commit to January start dates elsewhere.
Sarah believes information shared publicly about her business and its finances has been inaccurate. She also disputes the legality of the eviction notice, saying only one rent payment was three weeks late and does not constitute grounds for eviction. She is now seeking legal advice.
Your Voices: Hannah Howley on joining the New Forest small business community
The newest feature here, Your Voices, gives a platform to the people who know the Forest best - its residents, businesses, and local councillors. Each month we feature letters, opinions, and open commentaries that deserve to be heard, ensuring the New Forest’s stories are told by the community itself.
Below Hannah Howley shares a letter with us outlining why community support keeps a small business alive.
Why supporting small businesses really matters
by Hannah Howley, Howley Coffee Co
Starting a new business is scary - especially when you’re building everything from scratch. There’s so much to it, from marketing to building your brand to running the place to ordering stock and arranging events, to making sure the social media is popping. Not to mention the consistency that is required even when it feels like nothing is coming from it.
Luckily, the New Forest is an incredibly supportive place filled with small businesses. As soon as you join the ranks, they really do have your back! The help and support network is there, there’s no need to feel alone - we got you !!
We’ve all heard the phrase “use it or lose it”. I cannot say that enough to people that still support corporations over small businesses all the time.
Corporations have shown us time and time again the impersonal side of business, but if you ever want to see the impact YOU have on a small business owner, all you have to do is shop with them first.
You’ll make their day, help heat their house and put food on the table. It sounds drastic but if you lose small businesses and they keep closing, not only do we lose an integral part of the New Forest. They’ll also lose their dream, their passion, their livelihood.
A trend with my business, a mobile horsebox coffee trailer, at the moment would definitely be the black forest hot chocolate! People go mental - as soon as I run out I get customers messaging asking for it to come back quickly! And a couples trend currently is a flat white and a cappuccino. The question is which one would you choose?
Do you have an issue you’d like to share your views on with our readers? Email your letter (200-300 words) to editor@newforestbusinessnews.co.uk.
Hythe Ferry: what’s happening?
Work is underway on a new series looking at the future of the Hythe Ferry, including ownership, finances and what it means for local residents and businesses.
The ferry has not been operating since August 2024 and councillors and locals alike want to see it restored.
Red Funnel, who bought Hythe Ferry in 2023, have now been acquired by investment firm Njord Partners, with the deal now formally approved by the Government.
A deeper look will follow in January.
Local council and regional updates
New Forest District Council has this week highlighted “encouraging early signs” from the new waste and recycling service.
Councillor Geoffrey Blunden spoke at a council meeting sharing that they are seeing “the highest recycling rate the council has ever recorded, at 43%”.
Whilst this is provisional data from only one quarter and cannot be used as official waste data, the council believe the new service is “moving in the right direction”.
Due to the local government reorganisation, an already delayed Mayoral election has been pushed back another two years to May 2028.
The election for a new Hampshire and Solent Mayor was set for May 2026 and the delay has left councillors and Mayoral candidates frustrated and one feeling “democracy has been surrendered”.
Despite multiple local councillors campaigning for Forestry England not to charge for car parking in the New Forest, the fees are due to still go ahead in 2026.
Do you believe forest car parks should remain free or agree with the proposed charges? Let us know how it will impact you - editor@newforestbusinessnews.co.uk.
Business updates
Nineteen businesses celebrated award wins at the annual New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards this month hosted by New Forest Business Partnership.
The New Forest Show won ‘outstanding contribution to the visitor economy’, and Hockey’s Farm won business of the year.
More awards as Scott Bailey LLP is “so proud” to win the Financial & Professional Services Company of the Year award at the 2025 Hampshire Business Awards.
New Forest Botanics was also named Daily Echo’s Trader of the Week.
Wightlink ferry, operating from Lymington to the Isle of Wight, has warned that extending the UK’s Emissions Trading Scheme to maritime services in 2026 could have unintended consequences as well as potentially cost their business up to £1m a year.
They shared with us this could threaten vital investment plans including a hybrid ferry scheduled for 2026.
Residents updates
The first phase of repair work on part of a Milford on Sea seawall is now complete after 550 tonnes of rock armour were placed to protect it over winter. Phase two will begin in spring 2026.
Upgrades to the A326 are confirmed which will include widening parts of the road, upgrading junctions, improving crossings, designed to ease congestion and make the road safer.
Estimated costs have grown to £187m, with up to 85% of this funded by the Department for Transport.
Design work is planned for spring 2027 to summer 2028, with initial works taking place late 2027 to early 2029. The main construction is then scheduled from early 2029 to the end of 2032.
Following our recent autumn budget reporting, a local councillor got in touch to say…
“Thank you for reporting on local matters. Local journalism is never more important, thank you.”
Messages like this are a reminder of why independent, community-focused reporting matters - and why New Forest Dispatch will continue covering the stories that shape life across the Forest.
That’s our monthly briefing for December. We’ll return next month (year!) with updates on local issues, crime, introduce our ongoing Hythe Ferry series, and so much more.
I report and write every story myself to keep the New Forest informed - no clickbait, no big backing, just journalism powered by readers.
If you have a story to share, a business you’d like me to interview, want to write a Your Voices letter, or to ask about sponsorship, please get in touch at editor@newforestbusinessnews.co.uk. I’d love to hear from you.
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If you’re new here or catching up, you can also read last month’s briefing here….
