• THE Thomas Coram Nursery has been at the heart of the Coram campus for many years and we want nothing more than for it to continue to serve our local community.

It shares the commitment of all the organisations based at Coram to making life better for children and young people, (Rent hike may close historic nursery, July 20).

The nursery is, however, the statutory responsibility of Camden Council, who are its leaseholders. When the previous lease expired in 2016, we sought a long-term commitment from the council and froze the rent pending a new lease being agreed, but that commitment was not forthcoming.

We finally agreed new terms with them in 2021 but – two years on – the council has yet to sign off on that new lease, which is why we are at this point today.

Inevitably the agreed rent is higher than the historically low figure being paid under the old lease. Rampant inflation since then has caused profound challenges to us all at a time when the children’s sector was already underfunded by national government.

In this climate we simply cannot afford to continue without a settlement from the council which is fair to the charity.

Even now, the rent we agreed with them in 2021 remains well below the rate paid by all the other organisations delivering services for children and young people at Coram.

We are seeking nothing more than a fair and equitable solution for all, so that the charity and nursery have the long-term certainty they need from Camden.

We have met again with the council this week, and we look forward to a positive outcome for all as soon as possible.

DR CAROL HOMDEN
Coram CEO