A campaign to save closure-threatened Park Lane Stables in Teddington is set to be launched in the New Year, Teddington Nub News can exclusively reveal.

Stables owner, Natalie O'Rourke, revealed that the landlord of the stables has decided not to renew the lease, which is due to expire on 31 May 2021 and will leave the community asset without a home after 12 years.

She said: "We have attempted to purchase Park Lane Stables from the landlord but, despite our best efforts, we have not been able to secure a deal.

"Our two options going forward are to either find a potential investor who might negotiate with the landlord to purchase the stables as a going concern or search for a new home for Park Lane Stables, ideally within the London Borough of Richmond or a neighbouring borough.

"We are investigating all avenues and would welcome any suggestions from our supporters. Our priority is to find a safe home for our horses and participants."

The future received a significant boost on Friday when Twickenham MP Munira Wilson and the Leader of Richmond Council, Cllr. Gareth Roberts paid a visit to the stables to discuss the options and explore avenues of possible support.

The favoured route is to launch a community crowd-funding campaign to buy the stables from the landlord, although it is understood, the landlord is understood to be reluctant to sell.

Natalie added: We had a very helpful meeting and I feel really supported by our councillors. Onwards and upwards – in the New Year, we are going to start crowd funding."

The stables, were officially reopened by the Princess Royal in 2016 and the new campaign has been supported by TV personality and broadcaster Clare Balding who tweeted: "Help needed urgently. This is a great set up in Teddington supporting local kids and Riding for the Disabled. Hopefully, there is still a chance to save it.

"Park Lane Stables have been told their landlord won't renew their lease next year, let's support them in their fight to keep their business going."

Natalie added in a statement: "It is with a very heavy heart that, after 12 years, our landlord has decided not to renew the lease on Park Lane Stables which is due to expire on 31 May 2021.

"This is very sad news – for the Park Lane team, for our horses, for our riders, Pony Club members, RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) participants, volunteers and, indeed, the whole community who have supported us through thick and thin, especially during the last few difficult months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have worked so hard over the last 12 years building up the reputation that Park Lane Stables enjoys today so, needless-to-say, we are devastated by this news.

"We have attempted to purchase Park Lane Stables from the landlord but, despite our best efforts, we have not been able to secure a deal.

"Our two options going forward are to either: a) find a potential investor who might negotiate with the landlord to purchase the stables as a going concern or b) search for a new home for Park Lane Stables, ideally within the London Borough of Richmond or a neighbouring borough.

"We are investigating all avenues and would welcome any suggestions from our supporters. Our priority is to find a safe home for our horses and participants.

"The Teddington Society have been working hard on our behalf to influence key stakeholders about the importance of Park Lane Stables in Teddington – its history, ethos, all the work it does for young and disabled people and the benefits it brings to the community as a whole. We would like to thank them for all their support.

"Please be reassured, we are doing our utmost to secure the future existence of Park Lane Stables as it means so much to so many people, particularly the 350 local disabled people who rely on us for their therapy and wellbeing.

'We will continue with our activities until our lease expires on 31 May 2021 (subject to COVID regulations). And, whatever happens, we will always make sure our horses are loved and cared for.

"We will keep you up to date with any developments via Facebook and our monthly e-newsletter.

"We would like to thank you for all the support you have given us in the past and hope that we can rely on your support to keep Park Lane Stables going for many years to come. With your help, we will get through this."

Learn more about the Stables HERE