Blackbrook Zoo (Closed) Blackbrook in administration

Just found this on the London Gazette listing of all public records and announcements...


Notice details
Type:
Planning
Zoo Licensing
Publication date:
5 June 2014, 16:40
Edition:
The London Gazette
Notice ID:
2140319
Notice code:
1609
Issue number:
60887
Page number:
11243

Zoo Licensing
BLACKBROOK ZOOLOGICAL PARK

We; Dr Jake Veasey and Colin MacDougal of Manor House, C/O Evens & Co, Hamilton House, Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire SA73 3JP hereby give notice that in not less than two months after publication of this notice we intend to make application to the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for a licence to operate a proposed zoo at the site of the existing Blackbrook Zoological Park, near Winkhill, Staffordshire. A written notice of the intention to make application for a zoo licence, giving details about the proposed zoo, has been sent to the said Council. This may be inspected, free of charge, at the office of the Council at Staffordshire Moorland District Council, Moorlands House, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6BR between the hours of 9am and 4.30pm.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/2140319
 
Interesting.

MacDougal is the husband of the 'celebrity' who has done strange things to Manor House Wildlife Park.

Veasey did something at Woburn, and was then at Calgary until quite recently.

Is this correct?
 
sooty mangabey said:
Interesting.

MacDougal is the husband of the 'celebrity' who has done strange things to Manor House Wildlife Park.

Veasey did something at Woburn, and was then at Calgary until quite recently.

Is this correct?
Click to expand...

Yep. Veasey also has a zoo design company (HOME - VEASEY ZOO DESIGN) - which is what adds a little interest, as it makes me wonder if he's after a showpiece (or less charitably, a vanity project..!) - and if so I've no idea what form that would take.
 
There's surely some grand plan in place. Any revamp will inevitably have a much more commercial outlook than the Blackbrook of old, though why they would choose this remote corner of Staffordshire for such a project is a bit of mystery. You have to wonder if they've ever been there on a cold, damp Tuesday in November.

Anyone passing Leek any time soon should pop in and check out the "details about the proposed zoo".
 
robmv said:
There's surely some grand plan in place. Any revamp will inevitably have a much more commercial outlook than the Blackbrook of old, though why they would choose this remote corner of Staffordshire for such a project is a bit of mystery. You have to wonder if they've ever been there on a cold, damp Tuesday in November.

Anyone passing Leek any time soon should pop in and check out the "details about the proposed zoo".
Click to expand...

There is another leisure establishment in a nearby fairly remote Staffordshire location that does quite well - Alton Towers .
 
True, but Alton Towers is in a much more sheltered spot, and they close for the winter months.

I've spent many, many happy hours at Blackbrook and I wish the new owners every success, but I just can't imagine a hugely successful animal collection on that site.
 
robmv said:
True, but Alton Towers is in a much more sheltered spot, and they close for the winter months.

I've spent many, many happy hours at Blackbrook and I wish the new owners every success, but I just can't imagine a hugely successful animal collection on that site.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I love Blackbrook, but even with a more hard-headed attitude to money making on site, I can't imagine the place paying its way. Hell, the climate makes Whipsnade seem tropical.

If any Arab or Russian billionaires with a passion for Black-necked Cranes and waterfowl are reading this they could do everybody a huge favour.
 
Very interesting. Yes Jake Veasey has not long returned from Calgary stating that he wanted to return to his UK "projects".... so we will watch this space.
 
Last edited:
Jake has worked with both Colin and Anna at Manor House Wildlife Park on their design planning, he produced the new three dimensional plan of the park which now features on the zoo`s website. So the "partnership" ,or friendship, between Jake and Colin has probably developed from that.
 
His latest 'Penguin Plunge' exhibit designed at Calgary was $24.5 million, let's hope that the potential new investors at the new Blackbrook site have a LOT of money!!!
 
Has anyone found the planning application? I spent a lot of time searching and there is nothing on the council website to do with Blackbrook.
 
bongorob said:
Has anyone found the planning application? I spent a lot of time searching and there is nothing on the council website to do with Blackbrook.
Click to expand...

I believe the application is not being put in until some time in August.
 
Blackbrook are advertising - through an intermediary - for volunteers to help with construction of enclosures and gardening duties in the run-up towards the opening of the new zoo.

Zoo Maker | Now Volunteer
 
TeaLovingDave said:
Blackbrook are advertising - through an intermediary - for volunteers to help with construction of enclosures and gardening duties in the run-up towards the opening of the new zoo.

Zoo Maker | Now Volunteer
Click to expand...

Looking into that site further, it states the zoo's mission statement as:

"Blackbrook Zoo are going to be a newly opened Zoo housing big non native animals of all species."

Interesting to say the least.
 
And of course, "big non-native animals of all species" rather suggests a more bog-standard zoo is in the offing..... I predict much the same collection as found at Manor House.
 
Blackbrook...

I wonder how the big exotics will like the rather windswept conditions? Didn't the Zebras find it rather hard?
 
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