THE future of a popular rare breeds farm on the outskirts of Aberdeen will be decided tomorrow when councillors consider the business plan proposed by a group hoping to save the venue.
Friends of Doonies Limited (FOD) was set up to fight moves by Aberdeen City Council to close the attraction at Nigg as part of its £27million cutbacks earlier this year
The group hopes to take over the running of the farm, and claims it can keep it open at no cost to the local authority.
FOD Ltd proposes the council hands over the running of the farm to it immediately, with a 30-year lease being granted as soon as possible. It says all costs will be covered by the group, with council staff seconded to FOD for an agreed cost but suggests ownership of the livestock could be transferred as a “goodwill” gesture.
In the business plan which will go before members of the urgent business committee tomorrow, FOD Ltd estimates it would need around £125,000 annually and predicts it can raise the majority of that prior to receiving any private-sector donations or grants.
It says it could raise £60,000 through ticket prices and donations, describing these sources of income as “critical elements of viability”.
In addition, they hope to raise about £50,000 from the sale of 10,000 calendars and predict about £20,000 could be raised through links with local organisations.
One idea is to set up an “adopt an animal” scheme at the farm.
In the short term, FOD would hope to raise around £5,000 from an onsite photography service and about £10,000 from the establishment of a membership scheme and kid’s club.
The group is confident these measures could sustain the farm in its initial year under their leadership – but insisted it did not underestimate the challenge.