Southport aviary to stay open after council U-turn

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 16:32 · Archive

Sefton Council has reversed its decision to close the Botanic Gardens aviary in Southport after facing a legal challenge.

Sefton Council has reversed its decision to close the aviary at Botanic Gardens in Churchtown, Southport, after announcing the change on Friday. The council had said in June that it wanted to shut the attraction because of running costs and concerns about the welfare of the 170 birds living there. The council stated it could 'no longer meet the physical, behavioural and psychological needs' of the animals, and said it was one of the last local authorities in England to manage a facility that houses animals.

In October, the Save Our Aviary campaign group and the Botanic Gardens Community Association launched legal action against the authority. The campaigners said they had tried to engage constructively with the council throughout July and August but felt they had 'been left with no other option but to issue a claim'.

Sefton Council said fighting the legal challenge would require significant expense and would be 'an unfair and unnecessary burden on the Sefton taxpayer'. The aviary first opened in 1939 and is one of Southport's long-established attractions.

How it is being reported

• Council reverses decision to close aviarySefton council says Southport aviary which was due to close because of budget cuts and "concerns over animal welfare" will stay open.BBC Merseyside · 13 Nov, 15:56
• Botanic Gardens aviary in Southport to stay open after Sefton Council U-turnThe aviary first opened 87 years agoLiverpool Echo · 13 Nov, 14:57

In this story: Sefton Council · Botanic Gardens · Southport · Save Our Aviary · Botanic Gardens Community Association

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