A SCHOOL will be taking over a nursery after it closed amid rumours of a 400 per cent rent increase.
It has been announced that Horndon-on-the-Hill Primary School, in Hillcrest Road, will run the Horndon Village Playgroup, in Vincent Avenue.
In November last year, the Thurrock Gazette reported that the nursery was due to close its doors for the last time after Thurrock Council increased the rent.
Angry parents whose children attend the playgroup blamed the council for the closure after rumours circulated about a 400 per cent rent increase for the playgroup.
A spokesman for Thurrrock Council said: “The council is delighted to share that the school has been awarded the contract for pre-school provision from February 1 2017.
“This was overwhelmingly the choice of parents when they were consulted by council officers before Christmas.
“Arrangements are being made to support the reopening of the nursery under the school’s management as quickly as possible.”