Taxpayers are currently covering the shortfall to fund it
Grimsbury Farm in Kingswood(Image: Google Maps)
A council-owned farm could be taken over to secure its future amid funding struggles. South Gloucestershire Council is seeking a new operating model for Grimsbury Farm near Kingswood.
There were fears in recent years that the free family-friendly attraction could be at risk of closure, but the council has since said it is “committed to keeping it open as a community facility”. However, it is now looking for an organisation to partner with to help run it.
In a statement this week, the council explained: “We need to find a new operating model for Grimsbury Farm which minimises costs to taxpayers. We’ve reviewed different options and are looking for organisations interested in running the farm in a way which delivers the broadest benefits to the community.”
The council went on to state its hopes to transfer management to a charitable or not-for-profit organisation, aiming to keep the farm open as a valued community asset. Nevertheless, the suggestion prompted fears among fans of the farm.
In response to a Facebook post on the council’s page, one user complained: “Maybe look at the money [you’re] spending on pointless and dangerous cycle lanes in Thornbury, then there might be some money left for a farm. Honestly South Gloucestershire Council are something else.”
Another person proposed: “Starting charging and you exclude vulnerable people and those that just don’t have enough money. Look for innovative ways to create an income, aforementioned farm shop, monthly farmers/food market, school/nursery visits.
“How about home ed animal husbandry or wildlife courses, animal al care courses, weekly forest school type sessions, nature based well being, cooking on an open fire, collaboration with the arts, the list is endless. You need an events manager. Please don’t charge to visit, you’ll exclude people.”
Someone else penned: “It’s a brilliant local resource for people with young children. Please keep it free if at all possible.”
A separate individual chimed in: “This local community farm is an outlet for SO many parents. Parents that don’t always have money and need somewhere to take their children.
“It’s a great learning base for people with additional needs also who work in the cafe. It gives them a sense of being and independence and they are super diligent in their prep of your refreshments.”
They suggested utilising income revenues such as £1 parking, increased prices for bags of animal feed or even charging a small entry fee such as £1 for those who can afford it.
The council has launched a consultation and is inviting locals to share their views and ideas during in-person events and an online survey.
How to have your say
The council says you can share what you value about the farm and help them select a charitable or non profit organisation to partner with them in running it on its website. It also ran in-person discussions at the farm this weekend.
Goat at Grimsbury Farm(Image: Caroline Prater)About Grimsbury Farm
Grimsbury Farm is located on land set aside to provide an open space for local people and currently includes grass paddocks, woodland, farm buildings, a duck pond, a playground, a cafe run by charity The Brandon Trust, and a range of poultry and large and small animals, the council states.
It further explains: “Unfortunately, the farm’s financial position has deteriorated over recent years to the extent that South Gloucestershire taxpayers are now paying £250,000 each year to cover the shortfall in income. With costs continuing to increase, we must find a new operating model which minimises the impact for taxpayers.
“With tighter finances, the council needs to ensure that every penny we spend is focused on our core priorities. In reviewing the different options for the farm’s future, we have recognised that there are organisations better placed to run the farm in a way which delivers the broadest benefits to the community.
“We’re therefore seeking to identify a charitable or not for profit organisation with the background, resources and infrastructure to partner with us in running the farm in a way which supports our ethos of maintaining access to nature and the countryside for the local community. We believe there are multiple organisations who would be interested in taking on the farm.”
In March, residents expressed concerns after some animals were sold from Grimsbury Farm, when it was reported that the farm was losing the council £260,000 a year. In February, the council said that despite the farm making a six-digit loss each year, the site would remain open as a cherished community facility.
But the council added that if there was no way of making the attraction break-even, that it would have to move the large animals, such as cows, pigs and goats, elsewhere.
Cabinet member Cllr Louise Harris said: “In 2020 the closure of Grimsbury Farm was proposed as a council-saving measure by the previous administration. It wasn’t implemented, and the directive was made towards going to a self-sustaining model, as the report clearly says.
“The report talks about June being the soonest [moving the animals away] can happen, not that it’s going to happen in June.” However, towards the end of February, concerned residents noticed that the animals were being prepared to be moved, Bristol Live previously reported.
The council later confirmed that some of the animals had already been sold, including sheep and lamb, partially due to reducing costs. South Gloucestershire Council said at the time: “We have committed to keeping Grimsbury Farm as a community facility and to exploring ways that we can work with the community and partners to make the farm cost-neutral to the council.”