A CRECHE that has served Swindon families for almost 20 years has closed its doors for the final time.

Toybox Junction, located in the Designer Outlet, was told by centre owners McAarthur Glen in November that they would have to move out in the new year.

Premier Crèche Services, the firm that runs Toybox Junction, took the decision not to relocate to another premises in Swindon.

While all eight staff have found new jobs in the child care and early years sectors, there is sadness that such a popular facility has had to close.

On Saturday, in an effort to end on a high note, the Toybox team hosted a final farewell party for some of the children and their families who have used the crèche over the years.

Manager Louise Pike said: “We were given three months notice back in November and Friday was our last proper day.

“The party has been great, 45 people turned up for the first session.

“It’s a way for us to give something back - when we were given notice all the parents supported us so much and we had petitions signed by loads of people.

“It’s our way of feeling good about something that isn’t all that positive.”

The closure of Toybox Junction comes as it approaches its 20 year anniversary — with space to cater for children aged from 18 months all the way to nine years old, it has become much more than a shopping centre drop-off point in that time.

“We’ve tried to make it so much more,” said Louise.

“It’s become part of the community even though it is in a shopping centre, we’ve done a lot here.

“We have children that come several times a week and we have mother and toddler groups.

“We have people coming here from outside Swindon to shop but we’ve really tried to help people living in this area too.”

No reason has been given for the closure of the crèche, but with significant floor space it is thought after a refurbishment of the interior it could make way for multiple shop units.

When news emerged back in November, parents rallied round to call for a change of heart.

A petition urging centre bosses to think again was signed by more than 1,000 people.

Veronique Gledhill, 44, whose five-year-old daughter Aurelia was a regular at the crèche, said: “I don’t think McArthur Glen have thought about the fact that the parents who send their children to the crèche spend a huge amount of money here.

“It is a huge corporation so where is their corporate responsibility to put something back into the community to provide such a service?”

Sadly the pleas had no impact and on Saturday, the toys were packed away for the final time.