Thousands of people have signed petitions calling for the Aviary at the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport to be saved.
People have been heading into the park in huge numbers to sign petitions being presented by volunteers from the Botanic Gardens Community Association, who have been giving their time alongside Green Sefton to maintain the park over the past 15 years.
People are also being invited to attend a public meeting about the future of the Aviary, called by Southport MP Patrick Hurley, which will take place at the cafe at the Botanic Gardens from 1.30pm this Friday (10th July 2026).
David Cobham the Chair of the Botanic Gardens Community Association said:
“We have been volunteering to maintain and improve the Botanic for the past 15 years.
“Between all the volunteers, we give 8,000 hours of our time for free every year so families can come and enjoy this wonderful park and everything that it offers.
“We have fought against the cuts that have happened in our park over the years, including the closure of the Botanic Gardens Museum and the loss of the boats on the Serpentine Lake.
“The latest cuts which have now been announced will see the closure of the Aviary at the Botanic Gardens.
“It’s been decided that the birds here, all 180 of them, will be going elsewhere, but where to, we don’t know.
“There are many reasons why we need to keep this Aviary. For people who have passed away, or who are unable to look after their birds, we have somewhere here which is large, and well maintained. It’s a real sanctuary.
“During this year there are many things we have done to improve the Aviary.”
Botanic Gardens Community Association Gardens Co-ordinator Ann Cobham said:
“What has really worried us, the volunteers, is that I don’t think Sefton Council realises, that birds have feelings.
“They can get depressed if they get moved too many times.
“These birds have come in here as a sanctuary and they should be left alone to live their lives.
“They are happy, they are well fed, and the lad that runs the Aviary is brilliant.
“He has just won a big award at the Employer Partnership Awards atSouthport College for all the wonderful work he does to support college students coming in on placement and learning all about animal welfare.
“He also works hard to build their confidence and enjoys working with animals.
“The College must be upset as well about the potential loss of the Aviary.
“We have done loads of work to improve the Aviary. We have just put cladding in here.
“To keep our Aviary, you can help. Come down and sign out petitions.
“Better still, this Friday, at 1.30pm in the Botanic Gardens cafe, we have a public meeting with Southport MP Patrick Hurley coming, and we’d love to see as many people there as possible.
“Come down and have your say and help us to save this beautiful Aviary that’s been here for the past 87 years.
“Please help. You could play your part by coming on Friday. Thank you very much to everyone for your support.”
Earlier this week, Sefton Council shared its reasons for closing the Aviary at Botanic Gardens, saying they are “sensitively planning its closure over the next year”.
The Aviary opened just before the Second World War and has been an attraction which has welcomed families for the past 87 years.
The local authority says the facility is “ageing rapidly” and that all the birds and animals present will be rehomed.
Sefton Council said: “We know people will not be happy with this decision…
“We are closing the aviary at Botanic Gardens in Churchtown.
“Alongside the Botanic Gardens Community Association, we’ve been responsible for maintaining the aviary since 1974.
“It first opened in 1939 and it is ageing rapidly. We have carefully reviewed animal welfare guidance and the aviary is simply not keeping up with modern high quality animal welfare standards expected for our birds.
“As a result we have taken the decision to begin sensitively planning its closure over the next year.
“After carefully reviewing animal welfare guidance and considering the ageing infrastructure of the aviary, the Council decision was taken to begin planning its closure.
“Vitally every effort will be made to rehome the animals with organisations suitably skilled in animal welfare.
“Euthanasia will NOT be considered at any stage. If we’re finding it difficult to find a permanent new home, we’ll work with volunteer support in that interim period.”
Cllr Joanne Williams, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said:
“It is no longer possible for it to operate to the high welfare standards that are rightly expected of a modern site. For that reason, the decision has been taken to oversee the aviary’s closure.
“I’d like to personally thank everyone who has supported the aviary over the years, including the wonderful staff and volunteers who have cared for the animals on a daily basis.”
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