RSPB to close 'loss-making' visitor centre

The RSPB is closing the visitor centre and shop next year as part of a review of its operations

A bird and conservation charity is to close its visitor centre at a popular beauty spot due to financial pressures.

The RSPB said the visitor centre, shop and the education provision at Fairhaven Lake, in Lytham St Annes, would close "sometime" next year.

It said the move followed a review of its operations across the UK.

The charity, which has run the centre at Fairhaven Lake in partnership with Fylde Council since 1997, said it had been a "difficult decision" and "not one we have taken lightly".

'Special place'

Fairhaven is described by the charity as the "gateway" to exploring the Ribble Estuary which is one of the most important wetlands in the country and home to more than 250,000 birds.

The RSPB said financial pressures over the past two years had not only had an impact on the charity but also on its partners, members and supporters.

The RSPB posted on Facebook: "We can no longer afford to operate the shop at a loss.

"We need to make changes to focus our finite resources where they can have the most impact for nature and wildlife."

It added the visitor centre had a "special place in the hearts of many and this decision is not one we have taken lightly".

'Difficult decision'

The charity said it would be ending the RSPB school education scheme at Fairhaven Lake.

Instead it said it would develop a new education approach which it hoped would reach more children and allow them to connect with nature in a "much deeper way".

The charity said: "We will explore new ways to welcome schools to our other nature reserves for free in the future."

This includes providing resources to support teachers in planning visits to RSPB sites and the resources to deliver "inspiring learning" on its reserves.

Councillor Jayne Nixon, lead member for tourism, leisure and culture at Fylde Council, said the authority was "disappointed" by the news.

"We understand this was a difficult decision and we appreciate all their hard work over the years at the site," she said.

"Fylde Council has been proud to support the RSPB's efforts by providing the building rent-free."

She said that council staff would continue to run the marine lake and gardens and the authority would consider a future use for the building that would be "fitting to the lake environment and attractive to visitors".