Girlguiding will sell its Foxlease activity centre to a campaign group of volunteers from the charity, despite initially rejecting their bid.

The Lyndhurst, Hampshire, based centre was one of five the charity had closed as part of a money saving drive at the end of last year.

Campaign group Foxie’s Future had initially bid earlier this year to buy the centre and continue running it as an activity centre.

In July it was told it was not Girlguiding’s preferred bidder but this week Foxie’s Future has confirmed this decision has been reversed.

“We're absolutely delighted to confirm that we are Girlguiding’s preferred bidder for Foxlease,” it told its followers on social media.

“We are still going through the process at the moment so we can’t say more at this time but when we can share more, we will.”

Girlguiding has also confirmed that Foxie’s Future is now its preferred bidder for the sale of the site.

“We are pleased to announce that Foxie’s Future, a charity led by Girlguiding volunteers, is our preferred bidder for the sale,” said the charity.

“We're working together so that Foxlease can be used by Girlguiding members in future.

“As we’re still in the process of selling Foxlease we can’t say more now for legal reasons, but we’ll give further updates as soon as we can.”

Another of the closed down activity centre sites, Blackland Farm, Sussex, was sold earlier this year to an adventure operator led by a local group with links to the centre and area.

The other three centres that closed were Girlguiding’s Glenbrook, Waddow Hall and Ynysgain sites.

MPs' concerns

Girlguiding’s sale of the activity centres, as well as plans to end some of its overseas operations, promoted criticism from MPs.

Last year the Charity Commission announced it was to look into the charity’s decision to sell the centres.

“For each activity centre sale, we have worked hard and with care to act in the best interests and for the overall welfare of the whole organisation, our members and charity law,” added Girlguiding.

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