Girlguiding UK is set to sell one of its recently closed activity centres to a charity after initially rejecting its bid.
In August 2023, Girlguiding UK confirmed plans to close and sell the five activity centres it owned, namely Blackland Farm, Foxlease, Glenbrook, Waddow Hall and Ynysgain.
That month, Foxie’s Future was established as a charitable incorporated organisation to purchase Foxlease and save it from closure.
However, it emerged earlier this year that Girlguiding UK had rejected Foxie’s Future’s “fully funded”, and “above asking price” bid, with the former declining to comment.
In an update published last week, Girlguiding UK announced that it had chosen Foxie’s Future as its “preferred bidder for the sale”.
Both Girlguiding UK and Foxie’s Future said they were unable to comment further on the bid due to legal reasons.
Girlguiding UK: ‘We’re working together’
Girlguiding UK’s statement reads: “We have a positive update about the process of selling the Foxlease activity centre.
“We’re pleased to announce that Foxie’s Future, a charity led by Girlguiding volunteers, is our preferred bidder for the sale.
“We’re working together so that Foxlease can be used by Girlguiding members in future.
“As we’re still in the process of selling Foxlease we can’t say more now for legal reasons, but we’ll give further updates as soon as we can.”
Girlguiding UK added that for each activity centre sale, it has “worked hard and with care to act in the best interests and for the overall welfare of the whole organisation, our members and charity law”.
Foxie’s Future: ‘We’re absolutely delighted’
In a Facebook post, Foxie’s Future said: “We’re absolutely delighted to confirm that we’re Girlguiding’s preferred bidder for Foxlease.
“We’re still going through the process at the moment so we can’t say more at this time but when we can share more, we will!
“We’re pleased to share that we’re also working with Girlguiding to explore the ways that Foxlease can be used by Girlguiding members in the future to maximise opportunities for adventure and we’re really excited about that too.
“As you know, our future plans include making Foxlease available for all in the wider community but we’re keen to start what we see as a great future relationship with Girlguiding to benefit its members.”
Foxie’s Future added that it will be sharing more about its next phase of fundraising and timelines “very soon”.
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