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The Orchard Day Nursery
Premier Member fast-track success story
Ambitious entrepreneur, Sam Green, approached us in June 2016 just after he had secured £0.5m of private investment and acquired 4800 sq ft of office space in Wimbledon town centre to set up the first of three new childcare centres – the Orchard Day Nursery. The ex Allied Irish Bank building had been vacant for a number of years and was in need of a complete refurbishment before the Nursery could be opened in the September of the same year, not to mention a change of business use application and OFSTED approval!
Sam needed someone to help him quickly navigate his way around the borough and make introductions to key local stakeholders and potential partners.
Within 3 months of being introduced to Kevan Dunne at the Chamber, Sam had met the Leader of the Council, the Chief Executives of Merton Chamber of Commerce and Love Wimbledon, a host of neighbours, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Polka Theatre, Metro Bank and Deen City Farm and received extensive support with his successful planning application.
As planned, The Orchard Nursery was formally opened in September 2016 by the Leader of the Council, Stephen Alambritis, and now employs 12 people and is providing childcare for 40 children. By September 2017 they will have doubled the number of staff and children at The Orchard Day Nursery and be well on their way to opening their next nursery.
The Orchard Nursery were one of the first Premier members of the Chamber and are reaping the rewards of our connectivity in the borough.
“The Chamber has made us feel so welcome in the Borough. We have been staggered by the extent of their knowledge and support and their help was invaluable in getting our first nursery opened within our extremely tight timescale.” Sam Green, Managing Director of South London Day Nurseries Ltd
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"Happy New Year to all our members, suppliers and customers. I am delighted to have taken on the role of Chair of Merton Chamber of Commerce, in this, our 25th anniversary year. Having been a Director for a couple of years, I know I have some big boots to fill following the sudden death of our long serving Chair, Andrew Wakefield. I am keen to build on Andrew's great legacy and have a passion to drive forward the exciting new strategy that we launched last summer. My aim is to consolidate on this strategy by bringing you key benefits for your business growth – a new approach to membership, a new business growth service and support in building your contacts and networking through our events and workshops. I know these strategies work as a small business owner myself – 
