Crystal Palace FC face petition over New Beckenham nursery site
More than 600 people have signed a petition urging Crystal Palace FC, HSBC and Bright Horizons to work together and keep the Crystal Palace New Beckenham nursery open. The nursery, run by Bright Horizons, sits on a south-east London sports ground that has recently changed hands and now faces closure in December.
The site at New Beckenham was formerly owned by HSBC and has long hosted local sports clubs, including a cricket club, alongside the nursery. Crystal Palace completed the purchase of the ground, and the change of ownership has left families with young children searching for alternative childcare at short notice, according to a BBC News report on the petition.
Bright Horizons in talks with Crystal Palace as parents urge deal
According to a Bright Horizons spokesperson, as reported by BBC News, the childcare provider has held talks with Crystal Palace about keeping the nursery running until at least the summer of 2027. The spokesperson said:
“Following the sale of the site, we have been informed that our current agreement will come to an end and we are continuing discussions to understand the implications for the nursery and the families we support.”
The spokesperson added: “Our focus remains on supporting our children, families and colleagues while we work through the next steps and keep families updated as more information becomes available.”
Parents behind the petition want those talks to produce a firm commitment. Laura Middleton-Gueard, one of the parents pushing for a resolution, said the campaign’s aim is for Crystal Palace to “agree to an extension up to at least the summer.”
No agreement has yet been confirmed, and Crystal Palace has not stated publicly how it intends to respond.
Impact on local families and New Beckenham site context
For parents with children currently attending the nursery, the timeline is tight. Eleanor Farrow, whose daughter attends the setting, said:
“To suddenly be told that the nursery’s closing in two months is just really horrifying, in terms of trying to find a replacement nursery place that is feasible for getting her there each day.”
Alex Nelless, another parent affected by the closure, said the uncertainty is already shaping difficult decisions at home.
“Scenarios are running through my mind of having to ask my work for reduced days, and then the implications that would have on our finances,” Nelless said.
HSBC, which owned the New Beckenham site before the sale, said it continues to support staff and other groups based there. A spokesperson said:
“We continuously review our estate to ensure it best meets the needs of our colleagues and customers. We are working with those based at the site to help provide support.”
The bank has not detailed what support, if any, is available to nursery families specifically.
Upcoming timeline and unresolved extension decision
The Crystal Palace New Beckenham nursery closure is still scheduled for December unless a new arrangement is reached. Bright Horizons says discussions with Crystal Palace continue, but no extension has been finalised. It remains unclear whether Palace will agree to keep the nursery open until 2027, as parents hope.
Crystal Palace has been asked for comment on the petition and the ongoing talks. Parents say they intend to keep pressing for a resolution before the current agreement lapses, with the petition continuing to gather signatures. Supporters following the club’s other business away from the pitch can also track current Crystal Palace squad contract status and other off-field club developments elsewhere on the site.
