Knowsley’s Wildflower Centre to close

The National Wildflower Centre in Knowsley, a Millennium project opened in 2001, is to close down.

In a statement, the centre said: “Finances have been increasingly challenging during this time of continuing austerity and it is with great sadness that the Trustees have decided to wind down all business operations by February 2017.

“During these challenging times, trustees and staff are exploring with partners opportunities to secure a legacy for the National Wildflower Centre that sustains its valuable activities, assets and values.”

The centre is run by environmental charity Landlife and opened in 2001, funded by the Millennium Commission. The centre was designed by Hodder & Partners and was a RIBA award winner, and twice since has been involved with high profile North West architects as trustees looked to build visitor numbers and profile.

First SimpsonHaugh, then known as Ian Simpson Architects, won a 2009 contest to design a £5.4m educational, conference and seed production complex, a project that was ultimately shelved as recession bit.

In May 2015, Maggie Mullan Architects was awarded a brief to masterplan how the centre and the wider Court Hay Park could be improved, the intention being that an 18-week study would inform a marketing brochure, defining the needs of scheme and outlining the investment required. The study was completed earlier this year.