£4 entrance fee planned to dig Botanics out of trouble

Published on Sunday 13 September 2009 22:09

VISITORS to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh may have to pay a £4 entry fee to cover losses left in the wake of the collapse of an Icelandic bank.

The RBGE is facing a financial shortfall after placing 1.09 million of its funds with the Icelandic bank, Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander, which went into administration last October.

In a report to the Scottish Government agency that funds the garden, trustees suggested charging gardens entrance fees for the first time to try to recoup the loss.

The idea yesterday proved unpopular with those enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon there.

"If they have made the mistakes through incompetent investment, we are all a bit tired of being the last resort, carrying the can for poor decisions by management in loads of different places," said Bruce Whitehead, a South Queensferry musician.

He suggested it was time for managers to pay a surcharge themselves to cover lost funds.

"I don't think we should have to pay twice," he said.

The RBGE put its entire 635,000 reserve fund and 450,000 set aside for a tax bill with the Icelandic firm. So far administrators have paid back 20p in the pound, with reports the RBGE could get up to half the money back, at most.

The resulting squeeze has already seen key research posts left vacant. Dr Brian Coppins, the leading lichen expert, retired after 35 years in May and has not been replaced.

Trustees outlined their ideas in a report to the Scottish Government rural and environmental research and analysis directorate, which covers 85 per cent of the RGBE's 18 million budget.

"It's the last thing that anyone wants to do but we have to investigate every way forward," a spokeswoman said yesterday. Kew Gardens in London charges 13 per head. The RBGE charges only 3.50 for admission to its glasshouses, a price that will go up to 5 in January, as will admission charges at its three satellite gardens at Logan, Dawyck, and Benmore.

General entrance charges would require an act of Parliament – and ticket takers on the gardens' various entrances.

People yesterday asked if there would be family discounts, or lower prices for Edinburgh residents. Some said they might consider annual memberships.

But almost all vehemently opposed charging for a place funded for botanical research, but widely enjoyed as a public park in the heart of the city.

"I don't think many people will come if there's an entry fee," said Edinburgh University student Natalie Read. "The caf is not cheap and you wouldn't want to pay on top of that. The free part of it is an attraction, it's a free day out. It's so pleasant to come for a stroll, for elderly people or with children. People our age, students, won't come."

VISITORS' VIEWS

&#149 "We deliberately came here this afternoon because it was free, on a nice sunny day, before we hit Edinburgh properly. You get the feeling of a civil park to it, lots of families with kids, a park should be free," Kyle McGuigan, 26, from Newcastle, visiting with Alicia Winthrop, 23.

&#149 "It would be a pity, but it's not unfair. It must cost a lot to keep the place running." Rosemary Miller, 75, with garden membership for 20 years.

&#149 "Personally, being a resident, it would impact me a lot because we come here quite frequently and meet a lot of friends. It would stop us coming regularly. We would go to Inverleith Gardens."

Elaine Thompson, with her daughter Caoimhe Thompson, two.