It inspired one of the best-loved works of children’s literature and had the backing of such celebrities as Joanna Lumley.

However, even support from famous faces was not enough to prevent the closure of the Peter Pan house in Dumfries.

The national centre for children’s literature at Moat Brae, the mansion where author JM Barrie played as a child and which inspired the story about the boy who never grew up, opened in 2019.

The following year the actress was joined by Little Britain’s David Walliams and Game of Thrones star Kit Harington to record a new audio book of Barrie’s classic story, with the proceeds going to the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust (PPMBT) and the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

However, the trust issued a statement yesterday saying the centre would close to the public on August 23 after making losses for an ‘extended period’. 

Film and television star Joanna Lumley tells story of Peter Pan at Moat Brae

Moat Brae fed the imagination of Peter Pan author JM Barrie

The PPMBT trustees said they made the announcement ‘with a heavy heart’ adding they’d seen a marked reduction in funding including donations.

Combined with a ‘significant drop in footfall’ and a ‘significant leap’ in running costs, the trust says it had no choice but to pull the plug.

Graham Edwards, interim chairman, added: ‘Every possible effort and option have been explored by the trustees and staff of the PPMBT. Therefore, it is with deep sadness that we announce the end of operations.’

He thanked the staff, volunteers, members and supporters for their ‘commitment in bringing the magic of books and storytelling to life’ and concluded: ‘The trust’s purpose was to spark young imaginations and encourage creativity, we hope this is the legacy we leave behind.’

Moat Brae has been dubbed the ‘true home of Neverland’ with Barrie roaming the gardens from the age of 13 to 18 looking for fairies and planning pirate attacks on boats on the River Nith.

Moat Brae has been dubbed the ‘true home of Neverland’

The author made a reference to the property later in life saying: ‘For our escapades in a certain Dumfries Garden, which is enchanted land to me, were certainly the genesis of that nefarious work.’

The building was saved from demolition around 2009 and an £8million fundraiser saw it turned into a hub for reading.

When the Georgian building was launched as the Peter Pan house five years ago, Ms Lumley said: ‘Moat Brae proves that dreams really can come true.

‘Children and young people now have a place that’s dedicated not just to Peter Pan, but to the love of all children’s stories. 

‘They can come here to play, daydream and build their creative imaginations, just like JM Barrie did.’

The centre was home to the original ‘Tinker Bell’ – a small bell Barrie had bought to be rung when the fairy character appeared on stage in the original production of the story.

The trust had hoped for more than 30,000 visitors a year, saying it had the potential to boost the local economy to the tune of £1.3million a year.

But it was hit by the Covid pandemic followed by the cost-of-living crisis draining its reserves.