Bournemouth council-run plant nursery shuts amid cost-cutting

A council-run plant nursery has permanently closed as the authority seeks to plug a £50m funding gap.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said Kings Park Plant Nursery in Bournemouth would not be reopening as usual in the spring.

It said the move would save £85,000 in the 2024/25 financial year.

Deputy council leader Millie Earl said the decision had been "a difficult one" and that staff and volunteers were being supported through the process.

The nursery in Pokesdown has five full-time staff but closes to the public during the winter months.

Staff shut the gates on 5 November with the expectation of reopening in March.

But the latest message posted on the nursery's Facebook page said: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce that the difficult decision has been made to close our plant nursery. We will not open in spring 2024."

Ms Earl said: "We are aware that it will impact our dedicated staff and volunteers, and we will be supporting them throughout this process.

"Our aim now is to look at how we can best use this space to benefit the community going forward.

"I realise this will also come as a disappointment to loyal customers and I want to thank anyone who has ever visited and purchased items from Kings Park Plant Nursery."

The nursery will reopen for four days in February to sell remaining stock and allow customers to spend gift vouchers.

Anyone who is unable to spend their voucher can email the nursery for a refund.

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