Moat Brae is to host its first fundraising Christmas fayre and is appealing for community support to generate income.
The National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling in George Street, which also has The Neverland Discovery Garden and Lost Boys Bistro, has been hit hard by the pandemic’s lockdowns and restrictions.
They came just nine months after it opened in June 2019 following an £8 million fundraising campaign which turned the derelict building into an international visitor attraction with a ground floor exhibition telling the story of JM Barrie’s time in Dumfries, whilst other floors provide spaces for exploring the wider remit of children’s literature and to entertain visitors of all ages.
Admission charges to the Peter Pan exhibition and storytelling rooms help fund the upkeep of Moat Brae, which has charitable status.
It has also lost out on potential funding from private hire with rooms available for birthday parties; commercial and
community room hires and corporate catering packages.
Now it is hoping to get back on track and will be helped by a 50 per cent reduction in the admission charge, thanks to a VisitScotland initiative, which could boost numbers – with Covid-19 safety measures in place throughout.#
The gift shop and bistro can be accessed for free and the Moat Brae team are hoping the public will pop in and buy some of the books for sale for all age ranges as Christmas presents – with the cash helping generating income.
Moat Brae’s marketing officer, Anna Fell, said: “Moat Brae has had a tough couple of years with the impact of Covid and if people buy a book from Moat Brae they will be supporting children’s literature too.
“We are really excited about the Christmas fayre as this will be our first and, as a charitable organisation, we depend highly on local community support and hope people will come and visit us.”
The event will be held on Friday and Saturday, December 17 and 18, and will include a variety of Christmas stalls, festive food and drink, music, bar, gift shop and stocking fillers, raffles and prizes.
Santa will be joining the visitors on the Friday for some festive fun with the Christmas fayre open from 4pm to 7.30pm with a £3 admission fee.
To book phone 01387 255549 or email: tickets@peterpanmoatbrae.org.
