A beloved community farm in Kingswood, Bristol, will remain open despite losing £260,000 in council funding.
South Gloucestershire Council has confirmed that Grimsbury Farm will no longer receive financial support for its annual running costs, which currently cover staff wages, veterinary bills, animal feed, and welfare expenses.
However, the farm will continue to operate and remain free for visitors.
To explore alternative funding options and secure the farm’s future, the council plans to launch a “community conversation” this spring. Councillors rejected the idea of closing and “mothballing” the site, as fencing and surveillance costs would be too high.
Labour councillor Sean Rhodes reassured the public that efforts will be made to keep the farm as a valued asset for the community. However, if a financially viable solution is not found, larger animals such as cows, pigs, and goats may need to be relocated.
Opposition leader Councillor Sam Bromiley welcomed the commitment to keeping the farm open but expressed concerns about the possible removal of larger animals in June.
Addressing these concerns, Rhodes clarified that removing animals does not mean the farm is closing. He explained that, as a working farm, animals naturally come and go throughout the year.
“The simple fact is that as the farm is operating at the moment it is haemorrhaging money and it would be irresponsible for us as a cabinet to continue to allow that money to be lost,” he said.
“It is crucial that we find a way of creating a new farm, making it better than it currently is, that delivers more for residents and visitors.”
With discussions set to begin in the coming months, the community will play a key role in shaping the farm’s future and finding a way to keep it thriving.
