An empty clinic will become a new nursery due to open in June 2026, childcare providers have confirmed.
The former Monkwick Clinic in Queen Elizabeth Way was shut in 2017 and sold in an effort to save cash for the NHS, alongside two other clinics.
After years lying empty, the building will now house a Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery due to open in June 2026.
Director Manjit Sandhu said: “We are extremely proud and excited to announce that we will be opening another Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery in Colchester at the former NHS clinic at Monkwick.
“It is under new ownership and management.
It is a site which has been closed for some time, but we are pleased to say that we are planning to open the new nursery in June 2026.
“We are currently working on completely redesigning and revamping the site and building work is under way.
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“The new nursery will have free flow gardens from all nursery rooms as well as our very own on-site forest school.
“It will be a fantastic space for the young children of the local area to be cared for, to learn and thrive with access to modern and state of the art facilities.”
Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery already runs a nursery in Villa Road, Stanway, which welcomed its first pupils in December 2018.
Berechurch councillor Dave Harris said he was delighted the former health hub will be used again.
He said: “This is wonderful news, I’m over the moon.
"The building has stood empty for years, so it is great to hear it will be used again soon.
“I’ve seen the notice at the front of the building and I’m very pleased to hear the nursery will open soon.
“It is also a good thing for me to hear that it is not new nursery opening, but a good nursery which is already running a site in Stanway.
“It will be a great nursery at the heart of the community, exactly what we need.”
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