Botanic Gardens Aviary sees new public meeting announced amidst 'overwhelming support to keep it open'

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport and the Northern Parishes, has announced a public meeting to be held on Wednesday 12^th August 2026 at 5pm to discuss the future of the aviary in the Botanic Gardens, in collaboration with the Botanic Gardens Community Association (BCGA). The meeting will be held at St Cuthbert’s Church in Churchtown Village and follows the overwhelming response in support of the aviary at a meeting in July.

This further meeting follows discussions between the MP and volunteers, the local authority, and experts and consultants on community projects from Southport and the North West.

It will allow members of the public to share their ideas and experience for how to maintain the aviary, and to work to create a long-term, sustainable future for the Botanic Gardens.

Southprot MP spoke at a packed public meeting about the future of the Botanic Gardens Aviary in Churchtown in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport

In July, Sefton Council announced that it would close the Botanic Gardens Aviary in March 2027, a decision that the MP said was “deeply disappointing” and that they would work to find a clear way forward to keep the aviary open.

Since then, constituents have sent in hundreds of responses to a survey asking what the aviary meant to them, which has now been shared in a letter to the council’s Chief Executive, alongside the hundreds who have signed the BCGA’s petition at the gates of the park.

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport and the Northern Parishes, said:

“The aviary is one of Southport’s most cherished local treasures, and the support to keep it open has been overwhelming.

“I’ve been working to ensure that we took on board your ideas, feedback and offers for support to develop a clear plan alongside our excellent volunteers, and we now feel in a position to ask for your support to help make the Botanic Gardens the best it can be, and work to keep the aviary open.

People have been heading into the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport to sign petitions to save the Aviary. The petitions are being presented by volunteers from the Botanic Gardens Community Association. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport

“If you can’t attend Wednesday’s meeting, we’ll be sharing details soon about how you can get involved with supporting the park, as well as showing your support for our aviary”

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