Gorgie Farm

Gorgie Farm, previously LOVE Gorgie Farm, was an urban farm in Gorgie, south-west Edinburgh.

Following the farm's closure in January 2023, the site's animals were transported to other local zoos and farms.[1] There are ongoing plans to reopen the farm as a community-led venture.[2]

History
Visitors at the opening of LOVE Gorgie Farm in February 2020

It was established in the late 1970s by a community group that worked in clearing the derelict site and wanted to use the site as a green space for the community. The farm officially opened in 1982[3] as a working farm, selling lambs, pigs and was home of other animals, including cows, sheep and goats.[4] The farm also has a small play park encouraging imagination led play.[5] Since the farm opened, entry remained free but the organisation relied on donations to maintain the site and a grant by the City of Edinburgh Council which funded most staff wages.

In April 2016, Gorgie City Farm announced an urgent appeal as its rising costs and a reduction in external funding meant it had to turn to the community to help keep the farm open.[6] The urban farm raised £100,000 within six weeks from local people and businesses, allowing the farm to keep running.[7]

Queen Elizabeth II visited the farm on 4 July 2019.[8] She met with staff, volunteers and other former collaborators whilst doing a guided tour around the animal facilities and gardens.

However, due to the lack of a robust business plan or additional revenue streams, the farm had to close and went under liquidation in November 2019, even after managing to raise a further £100,000.[9]

The farm went to tender by the council and the funding was put on hold. Following a competitive tender process, LOVE Learning, an education and social care charity supporting vulnerable children and young people across Scotland were awarded the lease to run the farm.[10] The farm reopened on 29 February 2020 under the new name of LOVE Gorgie Farm.[11]

The funding raised by the community was given to LOVE Learning to continue the farm's work and to invest it into new projects like community support groups, education workshops and mental health programmes. The farm also had a food bank and reopened its social enterprise café. LOVE Gorgie Farm provides a range of professional apprenticeships and Scottish Qualifications Authority accredited programmes within its skills academy.

In March 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak and following the announcement that all sites had to close amid lockdown, LOVE Gorgie Farm closed temporarily. During lockdown, the farm acted as a focal point for the community by operating as a food bank[12] and delivering free breakfast for children amid school closures.[13] It also provided free pet boarding to those who were unwell or had to be temporarily admitted into hospital.

After being closed for four months, LOVE Gorgie Farm announced it would reopen on 29 June 2020 following the Scottish Government's guidance for zoos and animal parks to reopen.[14]

In January 2023 the farm closed again with LOVE Learning terminating its lease due to a lack of funding.[15]

References
  1. "Gorgie Farm: Animals move out of urban farm as it closes doors". BBC News. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  2. Miller, Noel. "Next steps for Gorgie City Farm". The City of Edinburgh Council. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  3. "Gorgie City Farm". Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  4. "Gorgie City Farm". Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  5. "Gorgie City Farm". The List. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  6. "Appeal to prevent Gorgie City Farm closure". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  7. "Gorgie City Farm: a phoenix from the ashes - TFN". Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  8. "Royal family pictures of the week". The Telegraph. 10 July 2019. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2020 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  9. "Gorgie City Farm: One of Scotland's last urban farms collapses". BBC News. 1 November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  10. "Gorgie City Farm: New owners take over urban farm". BBC News. 31 January 2020. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  11. Stafford, Indigo (29 February 2020). "LOVE Gorgie Farm officially opens, and here's a look at everything going on". edinburghlive. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  12. "LOVE Gorgie Farm to operate as food bank as it closes to public over coronavirus". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  13. Mitchell, Hilary (20 March 2020). "Gorgie Farm will give free breakfast to kids as schools close due to pandemic". edinburghlive. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  14. "LOVE Gorgie Farm to reopen as Scotland moves into phase two of easing lockdown". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  15. "Beloved Gorgie Farm closes down amid rising costs and funding cuts". STV News. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.

55.938°N 3.229°W / 55.938; -3.229

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