A NURSERY faces an increase in rent if it is to remain open at a community centre, it has been confirmed.

Broad Oaks Nursery, which rents a room and an office at Highfield Hall Community Centre in Marsh Lane, Farnworth, has been negotiating with its landlord, Highfield Hall Community Association (HHCA), over the increase, the first in six years.

The two parties say there have been two options discussed with regards to room hire negotiations.

The first is an exclusive room hire, whereby the nursery has sole access to the room and can leave its equipment there.

The second is that the nursery rents the room on a pay-as-you-go basis, at a rate of £10 per hour.

Both options mean the nursery would have to pay more than it does currently.

HHCA released a statement saying: “We hope to come to a swift conclusion of this situation. The room hire negotiations have been going on for a number of months. We have boiled down all possible options to the remaining two.

“It is now up to Broad Oaks Nursery to choose an option.”

Colleen Thornley, owner of Broad Oaks, added: “HHCA are not communicating with us at all — they are not asking what we want.

“The mood here has not been good. Parents are understandably upset at this situation.”