BRANDON Trust is hoping to take over the running of Kingswood’s popular Grimsbury Farm.
The learning disability and autism support charity, which already runs two cafes at the site, has submitted a bid to South Gloucestershire Council.
Its vision for the site includes:
• A skills centre, forest school sessions, and wellbeing activities for children and young people
• A farm shop and ‘field to fork’ food programme
• Artisan outlets, a children’s sustainable fashion shop, and co-working space for local enterprises
• Workshops, community events, volunteering opportunities.
A spokesperson said: “Thanks to our thriving social enterprise at Elm Tree Farm in Stapleton, we are well equipped with the specialist knowledge and experience needed in eco-friendly commercial farming and conservation activities.
“We have big plans to introduce more small animals at Grimsbury Farm. This will provide more animal care training opportunities for the people we support, as well as giving our young visitors the chance for more animal encounters!”
The council announced earlier this year that the farm was costing taxpayers £250,000 and said it needed to find a partner to run the attraction, but it assured residents that it was committed to keeping it open.
A decision is expected in the autumn.