Foxall Animal Services has looked after horses for the last nine years, but is now looking to secure its future
11:35, 23 Nov 2025Updated 11:38, 23 Nov 2025
Alicia Ball at her horse school in Rainford looking for a new home after eviction notice.(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A team looking after 45 horses are desperately trying to find a new home after receiving an unexpected eviction notice. Foxall Animal Services currently sublet stables on Woodside Farm, but recently the farmer who rents the land from the Knowsley Estate had said it has to leave.
Foxall Animal Services was founded eight years ago to provide full livery and horse care services, with plans to expand operations and strengthen the region’s ‘equestrian reputation’ in the North West. Those plans have now been adjusted as they try to find a way of staying at Woodside farm.
As a result, Foxall’s founder, Alicia Ball, 24, said they have until the end of January to secure its future, and she has submitted a proposal to lease the land and expand its operations. Alicia wrote: “We believe Woodside Farm has the potential to become a recognised centre for agricultural and equestrian education, benefiting both the equestrian community and the wider Rainford and Knowsley area.
Alicia Ball at her horse school in Rainford looking for a new home after eviction notice. (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
“Our vision includes an educational hub open to all members of the community. This initiative has already gained interest from Knowsley Council and support from local residents.”
Alicia acknowledges the eviction process has been difficult, not least because it was a huge surprise to everyone involved, she said: “The news really shocked us at first, and everybody is upset at the moment, but we’re trying to take the best out of it.
“We’ve got such good feedback from everyone about what our plans for the future are, and we’re all trying to stay positive, but the clock is ticking.
“There’s some horses that have been here for 15 years, and everybody’s really worried about how they are going to react in a new environment.
“It’s really sad, and unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to change what’s happened with the current lease. But that’s why we’re trying to open a new one, for the continuity, really.”
Alicia hopes the offer will be supported by the local community and said Foxall has already received messages from people all over Merseyside. She added: “We want to create an open air educational hub with agricultural and equestrian links.
Alicia Ball at her horse school in Rainford looking for a new home after eviction notice.(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
“I think it could really help the people in Liverpool, especially the young people, who don’t tend to have the opportunities to experience countryside activities.
“Our hope is to create something for everybody in the area and to enjoy a safe and fun space. We’re not sure what’s going to happen with the farm, but that’s why we think a project like this would be absolutely amazing for the community.”
“We’ve been at Woodside as a business for about 18 months now, but we’ve had horses here for the past nine years, so we know the place quite well. It’s a really happy environment.
“Everyone gets on with each other, and with 45 horses, that’s quite a rare thing, and it would be such a shame to lose it.”