TWO beloved animal enclosures in Renfrewshire are to close for good, it has emerged.
Renfrewshire Council has agreed to shut 'Pets Corner' in both Robertson Park, Renfrew, and Paisley's Barshaw Park, with the animals to be sent to a new home.
This includes Paisley and Buddie the Barshaw Park donkeys, who have been popular with locals since their arrival in 2014.
Robertson Park was home to animals such as chickens, geese, and other small birds.
Council chiefs blame dwindling footfall for the move, which was agreed at last week's infrastructure, land, and environment policy board.
Councillor John Shaw, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, said in a statement on his Facebook page: "Unfortunately, both animal display areas are in a poor state of repair and are in need of significant investment to bring them up to a standard that would be modern and in keeping with the parks.
"This combined with the ongoing costs and low footfall, with Robertson Park Pets Corner typically averaging ten to 12 visitors over a weekend and as low as two or three during the week, led to the decision. It was also noted that in the last consultation on the park the Pets Corner was not considered an investment priority by the local community."
Some of the animals will be moving to Lamont Farm, in Erskine, others to schools in Renfrewshire, while Paisley and Buddie will go to a sanctuary before being rehomed.
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "The 'Pets Corner' features of both Barshaw and Robertson Park have had a low footfall for a number of years as interest lessened in this type of attraction, with the area in Barshaw having been closed for the past two years.
"We will be working with the local community to identify new attractions to bring young people and families into our parks and green spaces, using our environment to peak their interest - including planting wildflowers in place of Pets Corner to brighten the area and attract wildlife .
"New homes have been found for all of the animals within Pets Corner and we look forward to seeing the transformation of our parks continue as we aim to provide a welcoming place for our communities to spend their time.”
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