Peter Pan House in Dumfries to Close

The Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust in Dumfries has announced the closure of the national centre for children's literature, originally inspired by JM Barrie's childhood experiences, effective August 23, 2024. Despite the support from celebrities like Joanna Lumley and fundraising efforts, the trust cited prolonged financial losses, a drop in visitor numbers, and a significant increase in operating costs as reasons for the closure. Graham Edwards, interim chairman of the trust, expressed deep sadness over the decision, emphasizing the commitment of staff and volunteers to inspire young imaginations. The Moat Brae site, known as the 'true home of Neverland', had opened in 2019 but struggled to maintain funding and foot traffic. Barrie's connection to the garden, where he played as a child, has been described as the genesis of his creation of Peter Pan. The closure marks the end of an era for a site that aimed to celebrate storytelling and creativity.