Attraction boosted by £590,000 lottery grant

Birmingham Botanical Gardens has been awarded £590,814 from the The National Lottery Heritage Fund - with the potential to secure a further £4.4 million - to restore its four historic, listed glasshouses.

The Gardens, a Grade II* listed charity based in Edgbaston, has received the development grant so it can develop plans for its £13 million 'Growing our Green Heritage ' project, which aims to restore its historic glasshouse estate, as well as additional visitor and community resources, to create a place of horticultural excellence and outstanding green space.

As the project progresses, the Gardens will have the chance to secure an additional funding amount of £4,409,186 to deliver the project.

Sue Beardsmore, Chair of Trustees at the Gardens, said: “Our uniquely biodiverse natural environment is one of the UK 's most significant historic Botanic Gardens and part of Birmingham 's richly diverse cultural history and way of life.

“The historic glasshouse estate is at risk. It needs urgent extensive repairs to continue to provide the right environment for our important living plant collection.

“Support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will mean that we can preserve this historic estate and iconic glasshouses for future generations.

“We know that a meaningful relationship with nature has significant benefits for health and well-being and we are immensely grateful to the Fund for this unique opportunity to restore an important part of Birmingham 's heritage, champion biodiversity and the environment, and reconnect people with nature. ”

In total, the project is expected to take about five years to complete.

Elizabeth Frostick, development director at the Gardens, said: “We are one of only two remaining independent Botanic Gardens in the country and receive no public subsidy.

“As a charity, we rely on income from visitors, members, grants, and the generous donations from trusts and individuals who share our vision to preserve these unique Gardens for everyone now and for future generations. ”