A COURTROOM battle over the future of a nursery has ended in victory for the social services team that wanted the site shut down.

Gatehouse Nursery Services withdrew a High Court appeal against magistrates who backed Enfield Council social services department's closure order.

The nursery, based at the David Lloyd Centre, Carterhatch Lane, Enfield, was closed after former staff made serious allegations about treatment of young children.

Its registration was cancelled by Enfield Council in April following a social services investigation. Nursery bosses strongly denied the allegations.

On July 31, Enfield magistrates upheld the decision, but Gatehouse appealed to the High Court -- before withdrawing on Friday.

Another company will set up a new nursery on Monday.

Social services committee chairman Cllr Brian Barford praised council staff.

Steve Philpott, managing director of David Lloyd Leisure which owns Gatehouse Nursery Services said the appeal was dropped to allow a thorough investigation to take place.

He added: "No parent has complained and we have had their full support. The nursery has, however, faced internal administrative issues. We are working with the foremost intention of ensuring the long-term continuity of high quality child care.''

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