Pharmacist Jill Mackey has bought the site and intends to change her career to focus on the opening of the as yet unnamed setting, which is planned for March 2014.
The nursery is expected to create up to 25 new jobs and will initially be registered for 60 children.
Ms Mackey said, ‘The property is in quite good condition, but needs a lot of work to convert it into what we want. The internal layout needs altering as there are a lot of small rooms which we will knock through and a new kitchen will be put in, as well as completely redecorating to get to a high standard.’
The pre-existing large outdoor space means that the nursery will be able to provide a play area, vegetable garden and covered area for outdoor play in any weather, as well as a large car park.
Mosaic Town Planning helped the buyer to prepare an application for a change of use permission for the property, situated on the corner of Talbot Road in the Old Trafford area of Manchester.
The building had been on the market for office use for over 12 months when the change of use permission was granted eight weeks after the application was filed.
A consultation on increasing flexibilities for change of use, including a specific proposal relating to the provision of childcare for working families, is currently in progress with the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Ms Mackey, who has worked as a community pharmacist for 11 years, said, ‘I had both of my children in private day care from four-months-old and I have now found that my passion has moved towards caring for children and ensuring that they have the best, healthiest, most exciting and inspiring care possible if they cannot be with their parents full time, as my children had in their nursery.
She added, ‘I will be leaving the world of pharmacy at the end of November and along with my husband will be dedicating my time to getting the nursery exactly how I would like it in time for opening.’
The Department for Communities and Local Government has launched a consultation asking for views on proposals to change the planning regulations to make it easier for buildings to be converted to provide childcare.
The aim is to replicate the rights that were given to state-funded schools in May this year.
If the plans go ahead, the change in the law will mean that premises currently used as offices, hotels, residential and non-residential institutions, some agricultural buildings, and leisure facilities could be converted into nurseries without the need for a full planning application.