The popular local nature reserve just south of Preston is offering opportunities to become partners for the next phase of its development. 

Brockholes nature reserve is hoping the continuing development at the site will provide commercial opportunities for other businesses and boost local employment. 

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The easily accessible site at Brockholes has received more than 30 regional and national awards despite only opening in 2011, with business growing year-on-year.

Anne Selby, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust said: “Brockholes has performed incredibly well despite being launched in a recession. We have steered the business through the stormy weather and achieved fantastic results. 

“We are now looking to move into the next phase of development. As a conservation charity, we want to ensure our focus remains on the nature conservation of the reserve, whilst ensuring the commercial income supports this work.

“We are looking for expressions of interest at this stage and asking businesses to be creative with their proposals.” 

Anne continued: “Brockholes received funding for the initial start up and development phases but it was always designed to be a self-sustaining model.

“By making the most of the commercial opportunities and keeping these balanced carefully with the needs of nature, we believe we can continue to success of Brockholes into the future and achieve even more fantastic results for wildlife, our wide range of visitors and the tourism economy”. 

The existing centre has a restaurant, shops, conference, education and welcome centres.

Future opportunities will include retail, water sports, indoor play provision, events partners and mobile food concessions. The Wildlife Trust is open to ideas for other sympathetic commercial development at the site.

The nature reserve with first ever floating visitors centre in the UK attracted 185,000 people last year.

An opportunity information pack is available by request from Karen Williams at Karen.Williams@brockholes.org

Expressions of interest should initially be made by Tuesday 6 May at 5pm, to Anne Selby. Tel: 01772 324129 or email pwoods@lancswt.org.uk