Foxie’s Future campaign group rejected in bid to buy Girlguiding activity centre Foxlease

A CAMPAIGN group hoping to buy the Girlguiding centre in Lyndhurst has been left “exceedingly disappointed” after its over-market offer was rejected.

As reported in the A&T, Foxlease on Clay Hill is one of five Girlguiding activity centres across the country which was axed in a cost-cutting drive by the organisation.

In a bid to save the site, campaigners formed charitable organisation Foxie’s Future and registered the building as an Asset of Community Value, which enables them to bid for the property.

In May the group confirmed it had made it past the first round of bidding after estate agent Savills put the site on the market last year for £4m.

However, Foxie’s Future has now revealed it missed out – a decision which has left the group “exceedingly disappointed”.

Chair Hazel Warwick told the A&T: “Whilst we understand Girlguiding’s trustees' obligations to consider the bid best for the charity, we find it difficult to accept that their decision can be the right one, given that we submitted a bid above their listed guide price for both lots of the site, the vast support we have from their membership, the extensive benefits for the future use by their members and the synergies with Girlguiding's publicly declared aims and future strategy.

“We were very surprised that at no time has Girlguiding given us the opportunity to match any higher bid or to submit a revised offer and at this time we have been given no reason why we were not selected.”

Hazel explained the group had worked hard since its inception “not to be negative or to encourage any challenge to Girlguiding”.

She continued: “We have developed a sound five-year business plan and fundraised an almost unbelievable amount in a short time to put ourselves in a position where Girlguiding could legitimately choose us, whilst complying with its obligations – unfortunately, despite all of that, they have not.

“We do not know who the alternative preferred bidder is but, as we know that Girlguiding has been following our progress and are aware of its membership's strong support of Foxie's Future, we feel let down.”

She urged supporters to tell Girlguiding the “strength of feeling” over the decision and said: “We need you to help us to change their mind.”

“Nothing is final until contracts for sale have been exchanged, and so there is still time for Girlguiding to make what we believe is the right decision for the future of the site and for Girlguiding's members.”

A spokesperson for Girlguiding refused to comment on the identity of the preferred bidder: “Information regarding the sale of activity centres remains commercially confidential at this time. We are working hard and with care to ensure we achieve the best value and outcomes for Girlguiding members across the UK.

“Throughout this process we have been acting for the overall welfare of the organisation and in accordance with charity law. We’ll share more information following completion of each sale over the coming months.”