Stand Up For Southport Comment
The case to save the Aviary at Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport now looks to be overwhelming.
In July, when closure plans were belatedly announced, the question initially seemed to be ‘should it stay open or close’?
In the past 10 years, the widespread levels of public anger over this unexpected decision have only been matched by the sudden closure of Southport Pier and the campaign to secure funds to restore it.
Now, amidst overwhelming public opposition against the Aviary closure and the lack of consultation, or details about the reasons, the only two options seem now to be whether to cancel the closure for good, or to send the issue back to the drawing board and start again. 15,000 people have signed a petition to save the Aviary (and rising).
In 2021, Sefton Council shared ambitions plans about how this historic Victorian park – which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year – could be transformed, with the museum possibly becoming a new hotel and wedding venue with a new cafe on the northern edge of the lake, under a £5 million Heritage Lottery bid.
People were hopeful. The news of potential investment was warmly welcomed.
Five years on, and that long-term vision appears no closer to becoming a reality.
There has been huge public investment in Southport as a whole. Work is currently taking place on the £20 million restoration of Southport Pier, and on the £106 million creation of the new Marine Lake Events Centre and Light Fantastic.
The £1.4 million Southport Market transformation has been a major success, while the £1.5 million creation of the Eastbank enterprise arcade is attracting new tech businesses into the town. All are great news for Southport.
Churchtown is eager to see some investment too.
The park has continued to deteriorate in the past five years.
The bridge nearest the Verulam Roads car park fell apart and had to be removed.
The two Victorian bridges over the Serpentine Lake are in desperate need of repair.
The boats which used to adorn the lake have gone, as has the road train.
The Botanic Gardens cafe remains vacant.
Flooding at Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
The park floods heavily every time there’s heavy rain, soaking parents and children as they make their way into Churchtown Primary School as water rises from drains that can’t cope.
The amazing volunteers from the Botanic Gardens Community Association, who contribute 8,000 hours of free time to maintain the park every year, do their best to clear away the water, led by 83-year-old David and Ann Cobham.
The beautiful appearance of the park is largely down to them too, working alongside Green Sefton.
The lake urgently needs dredging and cleaning.
The Botanic Gardens Museum has remained closed for 15 years, with concerns about its condition.
There have been huge community efforts to improve the Botanic Gardens in recent years, with an astonishing £50,000 raised through the Make A Change For Botanic campaign led by David Rawsthorne and widely supported by many others.
The Aviary at the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Local residents all wait for news about positive changes to a park described by locals as ‘the jewel in Southport’s crown’ which attracts so many visitors from across the North West.
It is against this background that the decision to close the 86-year-old aviary was met with such shock and surprise – followed by subsequent anger. Another loss. Another closure.
People have seen too many amenities lost at the Botanic Gardens in recent years.
They don’t want to lose any more – and certainly not without being told why, or without any public consultation.
The decision will be scrutinised and debated at the Botanic Gardens Aviary Public Meeting at St Cuthbert’s Church, Churchtown, from 5pm on Wednesday (12th August 2026).
All are welcome at the meeting, which has again been organised by Southport MP Patrick Hurley.
People there will not be wondering whether the Aviary should be kept open – but how it will be kept open.
Plenty of local people are ready to step up and help. It’s time for some sensible solutions to be found.
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