Thomas McKay

The nursery which provided childcare for the children of staff at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow for almost 20 years.

Clever Clogs Nursery, which operated from leased premises within the grounds of Stobhill Hospital, was placed into liquidation on 5 June. Kenneth Craig and Simon Smith of BTG were appointed joint liquidators.

All nine members of staff have been made redundant.

The company, which was incorporated in February 2007, provided early learning and childcare for the children of hospital staff as well as families from the wider community. Based in a timber building set within the hospital grounds, the nursery had built a strong reputation over almost two decades of trading.

However, despite operating successfully for many years, the business experienced increasing financial pressures over the last five years. Increased competition, the lasting impact of the Covid pandemic and cashflow difficulties meant the company was unable to maintain payments to HMRC and other creditors.

BTG’s managing partner in Scotland, Thomas McKay, said: “Like many childcare providers, Clever Clogs Nursery had faced mounting financial pressures in recent years. Increased wages and overheads, and a more competitive environment led to ongoing cash flow challenges that ultimately proved too significant for the business to overcome.

“It is always regrettable when a long-established business is forced to cease trading, particularly one that has served local families and hospital staff for almost 20 years. Sadly, this has resulted in the unavoidable redundancy of all nine employees.”

He added: “We are working closely with all the staff affected and with Partnership Action for Continuing Employment and the Redundancy Payments Service, to ensure affected staff receive support in accessing their statutory entitlements as swiftly as possible at this difficult time.”