Nursery owners take a sure step forward

The owners of local day nursery, Sure Steps in Mossley Hill, are expanding their business empire and taking on a second premises; the former Minders Day Nursery in Stoneycroft, now renamed as Sure Steps Derby Lane.

The purchase of the new nursery has been supported by a commercial mortgage provided by Santander Business Banking.

The new nursery is a large four storey property on Derby Lane and was formerly a school until 1989, when it was converted to a nursery with space for 42 children.

Husband and wife John and Ann Miller opened the first Sure Steps Day Nursery on Green Lane in 2006, buying the three-storey eight-bedroom property in 2005 with the intention of opening the nursery on the ground floor. They moved out during 2008 in order to extend the business into the rest of the building and this move doubled the capacity.

John and Ann run the business together, with Ann managing the day to day activities at the nursery, supported by a manager.

Dr Ann Miller said: "We are delighted to be further expanding our business and are excited about taking on the challenge of a new nursery. At Sure Steps, we strive to provide a homely atmosphere. Our ethos is learning through play and our careful planning enables progress in all areas of their development whilst paying attention to their individual needs. John and I are passionate about providing excellent value for money and high standards of care to local children and we're pleased to have this opportunity to further enhance our offering."

"We have been really impressed with the service we have received from Steven Carter, the Relationship Manager at Santander Business Banking. We are new to the bank, as we previously had our business financing with another provider. We were introduced by our broker Andrew Hunt, from Sterling Capital Reserves plc and since then, Steven has visited both properties and really taken the time to understand and share our vision for the future, so we're feeling very positive about building on our new relationship with Santander."

Steven Carter, Relationship Manager at Santander, said: "I am pleased that Santander has been able to support John and Ann Miller with their expansion plans.  They already run a fantastic business in Mossley Hill and have a great reputation in the local area and I'm confident they will make a success of the new venture in Stoneycroft. They have strong and realistic plans for the future and this makes the Miller's ideal customers of the bank."

For more information about Sure Steps, visit sure-stepsnursery.com.

For further information on the range of services available to businesses, business owners or finance directors, visit the Santander Business Banking website at santanderbusinessbanking.co.uk.