THE imminent closure of the Pets’ Corner facility at Sherdley Park has been greeted with disappointment.


A St Helens Council spokesman confirmed that the family favourite destination is to shut and all animals at the location will be rehomed.


The closure was agreed by a delegated executive decision earlier this month.


The process of rehoming animals has already begun and last week the council refuted reports that the donkeys were to be put down, stating they had been transported to a holding farm.


Many residents have expressed sadness at the news of one of the town’s most popular visitor attractions being set to disappear. 


Adam Fraser, from Grange Park, said: “What are the children going to do at the weekend?


“They’re not going to learn about the animals. It is wrong and all these cutbacks are making St Helens worse instead of making it better.”


A Star reader added: “Completely wrong that yet another local facility is lost.

I fully appreciate the impact austerity measures are having but you also have to question the decision when thousands are spent on the town centre Christmas lights switch on when it could be done for far less cost. 

Even if this is not the case what alternatives has the council explored if any to retain the facility in some way?”


Another said: “What a sad end of an iconic part of all our growing up. The pitch and putt, Pets’ Corner, and rope swings on pork chop hill, some of my fondest memories of Sherdley Park now gone forever.”

A St Helens Council spokesman said the decision was made with the council needing to find £2.23m in savings from its environmental service budget during 2017/18.


He added the facility has been closed as a precaution following recent reports that bird flu has been found in wild birds in Merseyside. However, it will re-open once the restriction is lifted ahead of its final closure in the coming months.