Leicestershire MP calls for cafe to built in botanic gardens as part of …

A Leicestershire MP is calling on the University of Leicester to build a cafe in its famous botanic gardens, as the university looks to overhaul the site. Neil O'Brien, Conservative MP [1] for Harborough, has said the site is a local treasure, but may need some added features to draw people to it. The Botanic Garden, in Glebe Road, Oadby,[2] was first opened in the 1920s and the grounds feature a wide variety of different plants, woodland, gardens and a series of glasshouses displaying temperate and tropical plants.

The 16 acre site is owned by the University of Leicester [3] and is free to enter, seven days a week. But the local MP, whose constituency includes Oadby and Wigston, believes that building a cafe on the site would attract more local people. A review of the future of the garden is underway, according to the MP, with consultants recently presenting initial findings to the University.

Mr O'Brien said: "The university's botanic garden in Oadby is a fantastic local treasure. It's a huge, meticulously well-kept garden, full of interesting plants from around the world. I am really pleased that the University are looking to revitalise the site and make more use of it.

"But many people have never been in - even local people. It's a real shame, given how good it is, and what a great asset it is to have in Oadby. The thing that would make more difference than anything would be to have a regular cafe somewhere in the gardens."

The garden often hosts open [5] events to the public, which include crocus weekends,[6] family fun days, plant sales and tours. A satellite site of the garden, called the Attenborough Arboretum in Knighton, was opened in 1997 by local legend Sir David Attenborough,[7] which features a boardwalk and two large ponds. The Harborough MP [8] added: "I think that would draw in lots more people and make it a better place to take children.

A cafe would make it more of a destination for people to meet up at, and draw in people who have never thought to go in before. "There are a number of beautiful buildings within the gardens which could be repurposed, and several of them aren't fully used at the moment. I'm grateful that the University are looking to revitalise the site.

I know that many local residents really treasure the gardens and a cafe would make them even better." Professor Tom Robinson, Chair of the University of Leicester's Botanic Garden Board, said: "The university is developing significant plans to use the Botanic Gardens to support its educational and research missions. This will include engagement with the local communities to make the Botanic Garden a welcoming venue to visit and to support environmental and sustainability awareness.

"The university will be hosting consultation events later in the year to support the development of our plans. We are really pleased to have the support of the MP and other community leaders." Get all the latest news direct to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter here [9].

References

^ Conservative MP (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ in Glebe Road, Oadby, (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ University of Leicester (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ ' Mini 20C heatwave' in Leicester next week - here's the Met Office's forecast (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ often hosts open (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ include crocus weekends, (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ Sir David Attenborough, (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ The Harborough MP (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^ newsletter here (data.reachplc.com)