THE founder of East Links Family Park, by Dunbar, wants to breathe new life into Gorgie City Farm.

The Edinburgh tourist attraction closed its doors last year due to financial difficulties.

However, Grant Bell is keen to head up a community interest company which would see the farm opened up once again.

He said: “Gorgie City Farm was one of the parks back in the day before East Links was created that I visited.

“I used photographs from Gorgie City Farm and Heads of Ayr [Farm Park] when I went to the planners with the kind of thing East Links could be.

“We have a long history and traded animals for years back and forwards.”

Mr Bell, who opened East Links Family Park, near West Barns, in 2002, was determined not to see the city farm remain closed.

Instead, he wants it returned to its former glory, with few changes planned, other than providing somewhere with “a decent cup of coffee” for the facility.

A statement on the tourist attraction’s website reads: “Unfortunately, Gorgie City Farm is now closed.

“After exploring all our options, it is with huge regret that the farm has been unable to find a route to a sustainable future.

“We are very grateful to all staff, volunteers, customers and donors who have supported us over the last 40 years.”

Mr Bell was aiming to make Gorgie City Farm “sustainable”.

He said: “I want to keep it exactly the same – just farm animals and education about food and farming.

“I just want to get it back open and hopefully the people of Edinburgh will appreciate it.”

Mr Bell is one of two interested parties still in the running to potentially take over the farm.

Joining him in expressing an interest is mental health charity Love Learning.

Liquidator Shona Campbell, of MHA Henderson Loggie, said a decision would be made by the end of the month. A spokeswoman said: “The bidders are mental health charity Love Learning and Mr Grant Bell, owner of East Links Family Park.

“A consortium involving the homeless charity Cyrenians, which had previously expressed an interest, has pulled out of the process.

“MHA Henderson Loggie will now assess the bids before making recommendations to site landlord City of Edinburgh Council.

“A decision on the future of the site will be announced before the end of January.”

East Links Family Park, which celebrated its one millionth visitor five years ago, has a number of attractions including a soft play barn, go karts and crazy golf, as well as a wide range of both indoor and outdoor animals.

Mr Bell added: “I have a particular set of skills.

“I am a chap that comes from a farming background.

“I have always been interested in food and farming in the countryside and happy for visitors to come and see the farm and enjoy it.”