Trustees of a charitable trust that runs the building that helped inspire the author of Peter Pan have announced its closure, after losing money for an “extended period”.

The Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust will close its visitor centre, Moat Brae House in Dumfries, and the charity will cease operations on 23 August.

The visitor centre promotes children’s literature and was opened in 2019 in the building which helped to inspire JM Barrie to write the story of Peter Pan.

The charity said it had been losing money for an “extended period” and had seen a “significant drop” in footfall at the centre.

A “significant leap” in the running costs of the centre was also cited as a reason for its closure.

Nobody at the charity responded to questions from Third Sector but the charity’s accounts for the year to the end of December 2022 show it had 12 employees during that period. 

The charity’s accounts for the financial year ending 31 December 2021 show it had an income of £527,732 and an expenditure of £6.8m, with £6.1m coming from property costs, £5.8m of which was used to “restore and develop the house and gardens”.

The charity’s latest accounts, for the financial year ending 31 December 2022, show expenditure dropped to £465,896 while its income was £292,231.

“Every possible effort and option have been explored by the trustees and staff of the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust, therefore it is with deep sadness that we announce the end of operations,” the charity said.

“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff, volunteers, members and many supporters of the trust for their commitment in bringing the magic of books and storytelling to life for the thousands of visitors who have passed through the doors.”