Sefton Park Palm House Trust has received a substantial £69,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Trust, which has run the award-winning Grade II listed feature since its 2001 restoration, will put the funds to use in a variety of ways; all designed to safeguard the glasshouse’s future.
Plans include commissioning consultants to evaluate business performance and help with all-important fundraising activities.
The one-year grant will also provide funds for research and purchasing software to support the Trust’s work, as well as the maintenance of the Palm House’s extensive plant collection.
Chair of Trust, Andrew Brown, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of Heritage Lottery Fund to help us face new financial challenges and develop strategies that will make us more self-sufficient and secure the future of the Palm House.
“The Heritage Lottery supported the initial restoration of Sefton Park Palm House and this grant shows its confidence in the work of the Trust. ”
Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust is a registered charity that was set up in 1996. As well as looking after the Grade II* listed building and its plant collection for Liverpool City Council, the Trust also runs a programme of free and subsidised community events.
And Mr Brown added that although the grant is fantastic news for the Palm House, further fundraising efforts will be essential in order to keep the facility open to the public for the foreseeable future.
He concluded: “Although the Heritage Lottery Fund grant is certainly excellent news it is essential that we continue to maximise our fundraising efforts to ensure that the Palm House remains open to the public for many years to come.
“For those who’d like to do their bit to help, we welcome the support of volunteers and those who wish to join us as a ‘Friend’ with an annual subscription. We will be repeating the popular fundraising dinner again later this year in October, to help keep the Palm House flourishing – keep an eye on our website to find out more details”.