Community
Beloved riding school, Park Palace Ponies launches final fundraiser ahead of “imminent closure”
1 day ago
A much-loved community riding school in the heart of Liverpool’s L8 area is facing imminent closure, with a final shutdown date set for 28th June 2025.
After years of providing horse riding opportunities, youth engagement, and inclusive community outreach, the team behind the project has issued a final appeal to raise £300,000 to keep their doors open.
Earlier this year, a grassroots fundraising campaign raised £4,000 – enough to cover public liability insurance and secure a council riding school licence. However, the amount fell short of what’s needed for long-term survival, and remaining staff have now received redundancy notices.
Pamela Allen, Chairperson of the riding school said:
“This has been a heartbreaking time. But we’re not giving up without a fight. This space means everything to our young people and our wider community. This is our city. We are L8.”
In recent weeks, the school has joined forces with the Liverpool Muslim Outreach Society and Team Oasis, and taken horses out to meet the public at Granby Street Market, further reinforcing its commitment to community cohesion and inclusion.
The riding school is now seeking to raise £300,000, which would secure its operations for three years. During that time, the team will implement a long-term sustainability plan developed with Sport England to transition away from total reliance on grants and fundraising.
Trustee Karen Scott said:
“We understand people are tired, and that fundraising fatigue is real. But we’re asking – one final time – for support. This is about more than horses. This is about saving a community space that brings joy, purpose, and unity.”
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