Paint order threatens to shut centre

A CHILDCARE boss today told how she would be forced to close her business because she doesn't have the money to paint the building.

Jackie McCulloch, who runs the Wester Hailes Smile Childcare Centre for low-earning parents, said she had been ordered by the Wester Hailes Land and Property Trust to paint the outside of the building by August 13 or it will bring her lease to an end.

The child worker said her funding had been drastically slashed and that there were other areas at the centre, such as the toilets, in greater need of repair.

Mrs McCulloch said she could not afford to complete the job, especially after the funding she received from the Fairer Scotland Fund was slashed, and would not be able to set up another childcare centre if kicked out.

She currently helps 250 families in Wester Hailes and surrounding areas who are on low income or receiving training to go back to work.

If the lease were to be terminated, around 55 workers would be made redundant.

She said: "I'm on a peppercorn rent scheme, which means I only pay 1 a year, but I invest up to 20,000 or 30,000 in keeping the place maintained.

"I look after lots of kids for parents who are on the breadline, so for the childcare centre to close down would be a great loss for the community.

"We have started painting the outside of the building. We've done a big chunk of it, but to do the whole job could cost up to 10,000. I'd rather invest that money in fixing up the toilets. I refuse to paint the outside of this building by August 13."

Mrs McCulloch added that she had much local support to keep the centre open. She has received a petition including around 600 signatures and 120 letters from concerned parents who use the service.

May Hamilton, manager of the Wester Hailes Land and Property Trust, said that she did not believe the company's request to paint the building was unreasonable.

She said: "We have been providing the property for 15 years at 1 per year, and now the lease is coming to an end. Had we been renting it out, we could have achieved 369,000 or so in that time. The only thing we asked was for them to keep it in good condition.

"Smile started painting the centre but they didn't finish the job so there is a two-tier effect. We would ask that they finish the job. There are repairs we requested outstanding from 2005.

"We are delighted to have supported the centre and have given them funds over the years, including a 47,000 grant to help them continue. If they complete the painting we would be willing to discuss a new lease."

Councillor Alastair Paisley said he would fight to help Mrs McColloch maintain the centre. He said: "The Land and Property Trust were given 5 million of public money to help establish and maintain jobs in the Wester Hailes area, but now they have the money they seem to be treating it like their own private income."