Photo: BCP Council
The Kings Park Plant Nursery in Bournemouth is to close permanently, BCP Council has announced.
There’ll be a short four-day sale in the coming months but the nursery will not reopen in the Spring as previously planned.
A message on social media from the team at Kings Park says they have made the difficult decision with a heavy heart, and thank all of their loyal customers for their support through the years.
Cllr Millie Earl, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities says: “Councils across the country are facing an unprecedented challenge. Soaring inflation has driven up costs and many councils are facing an increase in demand for core services, such as social care, education and highways.
“BCP Council share these challenges as it works to close a £50 million funding gap. We have been clear that difficult decisions will need to be made and we are taking a responsible approach rather than deferring tough choices to future years.
“One of these difficult decisions is to close Kings Park Plant Nursery, it will not reopen in Spring 2024. This will save £85,000 in the 2024/25 financial year.
“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.
“Kings Park Plant Nursery will open for a short period of time in the coming months, and we hope customers will come and purchase the remaining stock from the plant nursery. This will also enable any customers with gift vouchers to spend them during this time. We will make everyone aware of these dates once they have been decided.
“We have always said we would be open and transparent and the decision to close Kings Park Plant Nursery has been a difficult one and one that hasn’t been made lightly.”
The short 4-day sale will take place from Wednesday 14 – Saturday 17 February 2024, 10am-4pm.