A Fife garden attraction saved from closure five years ago is now thriving and has an exciting future.
St Andrews Botanic Garden was taken over by a trust after Fife Council announced it could no longer afford to run the venue.
Its director James Hearsum and chairperson Dr Jean Stewart described 2015 as a fantastic year for the visitor attraction which had benefited from the upgrade of its café, shop and facilities.
Improved marketing and online tools were concentrating on providing a better and longer visitor experience, they said.
Mr Hearsum said: “Although TripAdvisor ratings might be a crude way to measure how well you are doing, there is no doubt that this online platform is showing our improved ratings and this is increasing our visitor numbers.”
Progress was reported to Fife Council’s north east area committee, where members commended the enthusiasm and vision of the “very strong, credible and professional” board and committee volunteers.
Highlights of last year included a successful trial of a school holiday programme, which has been funded for another year by the New Park Trust, introduction of the Poppy Club student volunteer service bringing isolated, elderly people to the gardens, and development of its recently opened butterfly house.
It also secured £150,000 from the Climate Challenge Fund to develop an unused area of the garden with Transition St Andrews and St Andrews Environment Network and is working with the Byre Theatre to run Byre in the Botanics theatre productions and classical music concerts this summer.
There are plans to recruit a marketing officer and develop a training diploma.
Mr Hearsum said: “Although we continue to rely fully on the core funding from Fife Council, we are on track to reduce this income from 90% to 50% of our budget by growing all other sources of income over the coming years.
“We are therefore moving in a very positive direction and are very excited about our plans for the future.”
Area committee chair Councillor Frances Melville said: “We must congratulate everyone involved in what has been realised at St Andrews Botanic Garden.
“It must be apparent to all of those who have made return visits throughout the years, what wonderful progress the staff, board and volunteers have made in improving and enhancing the visitor experience.
“It contributes significantly to the Fife economy, attracting tourists as well as offering local families and schools a great family day out.”
