A FORMER Winchester pub has been radically transformed into a new nursery.

Yellow Dot Nursery has reopened on the site of what was once the Ship Inn, in Wales Street, following months of refurbishment.

Daily Echo:

Winchester MP Steve Brine – pictured with Yellow Dot staff – cut the ribbon to officially open the nursery.

Around £400,000 was spent to renovate the building – including the removal of every wall and ceiling due to a beetle infestation.

Initial plans would have seen the 30 members of staff move in last October.

Following months of restoration work the building is now of open and boasts big rooms with many of the building’s original features.

The snooker room is now a bright and open play area and the 178-year-old fireplace has been converted into a reading den.

Winchester is the eleventh of the Yellow Dot sites. It takes in children aged four months to four years, with space for 80 children.