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.

Around £400,000 was spent on renovating the building – including the replacement of every wall and ceiling due to a large 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 made into a reading den.

Winchester is the 11th of the Yellow Dot sites, which takes in children aged four months to four years, with enough space for 80 children.

Director Jane Dyke said: “I was a teacher in Chandler’s Ford and I wanted to provide better teaching for younger children.

“We had parents calling for one in Winchester, so we started looking for something in the city – it was just straightforward supply and demand.

“We’d been looking for a site for about five years – it’s not been easy to find a big enough place with car-parking and an outdoor play area.

“It’s just trying to meet parents’ needs and keep ourselves the best we can, quality-wise.”

Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP Steve Brine unveiled the site at an informal ceremony.

“This is a key facility,” he said. “I opened the one in Otterbourne around 18 months ago and they said then this was their ambition.

"As a young parent myself I know how important it is to have safe and reliable child care.”