Proposals to close the Botanic Gardens Aviary in Churchtown will be challenged at a Sefton Council Scrutiny meeting next week.
Southport councillor Mike Sammon has called for the issue to be debated saying “the decision to close the Botanic Gardens Aviary has proved to be highly controversial”.
Over 15,000 people have signed petitions calling for the aviary to remain open, while two packed-out public meetings have taken place in a bid to find solutions to save it.
On 1st July, Sefton Council announced that it intended to close the attraction, which has been enjoyed by families for the past 87 years due to it “ageing rapidly” with plans to rehome the 180 birds on site.
Cllr Sammon will raise the issue at the Sefton Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Skills) meeting, which takes place at Bootle Town Hall from 6.30pm on Tuesday 15th September 2026.
He has submitted supporting information that “the decision to close the Botanic Gardens Aviary has proved to be highly controversial with more than 15,000 people signing a petition opposing the closure, and the decision affects residents and communities across more than one ward.
“There have been numerous demonstrations of public disquiet about the decision, including two very well attended public meetings as well as numerous residents attending in the public gallery to watch a debate at the last Council meeting in July 2026.
“Given the significant level of public interest and the wider community impact, together with the mixed messages concerning the decision coming from the Council over recent months, this decision warrants proper scrutiny – something that hasn’t been available so far”.
Sefton Council says it is closing the facility due to animal welfare concerns.
In a statement earlier this year Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “Nobody is calling into question the care and kindness shown by staff and volunteers to these birds over the decades but the fact remains this facility is simply no longer in the best interests of the animals who are kept there.
“I have seen numerous comments from people telling us that this decision has nothing to do with animal welfare. Experts do not share that same view.”
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