First Visit Of 2021?

Andrew Swales said:
We are very fortunate that this is the position taken by many (perhaps even most) of our season ticket holders, and we extend our thanks to everyone who has supported in this way. To be fair to everyone, we will of course extend the passes if this is insisted upon; and at Hamerton this will be in then form of a winter/spring pass for next year valid for the period 27th December 2021 until April 11th 2022; which can be used on its own or incorporated into a pass purchased anytime up to 26th December.
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I bought a Hamerton pass in July as a gesture of support (I usually visit 2 or 3 times a year) but I have visited 6 times already, money well spent and I wouldn't dream of asking for an extension!!
I always spend £10-20 in the cafe as well
 
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Andrew Swales said:
We are very fortunate that this is the position taken by many (perhaps even most) of our season ticket holders, and we offer our thanks to everyone who has supported in this way. To be fair to everyone, we will of course extend the passes if this is insisted upon; and at Hamerton this will be in the form of a winter/spring pass for next year valid for the same period ie 27th December 2021 until April 11th 2022; which can be used on its own or incorporated into (extend) a pass purchased anytime up to 26th December.
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What zoo are you involved with?
 
littleRedPanda said:
I'm not completely sure if it depends on them being a charity or not.
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No. A donation is tax-free, a sale is taxed.
HMRC defines a 'sale' as any transaction where there is a 'benefit', ie anything, tickets, goods, entry etc. To be defined as a 'donation' there must be no 'benefit' of any kind in return, and it must be freely made and not requested.
Charities can apply for gift-aid, which is a quite separate matter - but it is not automatic that it will be allowed/available, even then.
(just been reminded today too, that ALL grants are classed as taxable income;
so we will have to pay tax on all such received during Covid..!)
 
pipaluk said:
I have passes for 5 zoos and have or will refuse the extensions on all of them!
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I get where your coming from and respect that from my side it’s five passes for the family so will be accepting the extension and in stead tell the kids they can have that huge soft toy instead of the small one of you can go to the fish bar rather than bringing your own lunch to give back !
 
J C said:
I get where your coming from and respect that from my side it’s five passes for the family so will be accepting the extension and in stead tell the kids they can have that huge soft toy instead of the small one of you can go to the fish bar rather than bringing your own lunch to give back !
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That is fine in my book if the equivalent money is going into the zoo funds. I don't have children of that age any more! I just feel when you support something there are no guarantees what you will get for your money - if someone breaks their leg or. Can't visit for 6 months due to being hospitalalised they don't get a refund, why should they get one now?! It isn't as if they could spend the money elsewhere!!
 
pipaluk said:
That is fine in my book if the equivalent money is going into the zoo funds. I don't have children of that age any more! I just feel when you support something there are no guarantees what you will get for your money - if someone breaks their leg or. Can't visit for 6 months due to being hospitalalised they don't get a refund, why should they get one now?! It isn't as if they could spend the money elsewhere!!
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Yes pipaluk, I personally agree with this basic sentiment.
Especially now! - anyone buying a season ticket during the last 12 months would have done so with the Covid crisis raging, and potential future lockdowns likely - so would have been quite aware that such tickets might not be able to be used. In addition to expect that 3 months of lack of winter use should be extended/exchanged for summer use, is hardly cricket either.
As I mentioned, such requests are rare in our experience, and many people buying a ticket in the last 12 months (in our case again, a hugely increased number compared with any similar period in our past), have done so as a way of supporting our efforts.
 
J C said:
you can go to the fish bar rather than bringing your own lunch to give back !
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from my understanding, Twycross get very little from the food outlets, although supporting them keeps them in place to help enhance the visitor experience.
 
I think Chester were sending emails asking members to submit a form if they wanted extensions, but automatically extended them regardless.
 
Last August when my Paignton Pass would have naturally expired, I asked to renew it as normal rather than have it extended. But apparently the computer wasn't programmed to allow this so they suggested I make a donation instead, which I did.
 
Colchester were going to extend my pass automatically by several months. I had to email and ask to renew it in January as usual.
Most are saying you can ask for an extension which is probably better
 
I don’t generally buy passes cause I rarely go to the same zoo twice in a year. But as I can’t travel I went for a Twycross pass this year. It has some extra zoos in it if we can travel and I did manage a sneaky Dublin/Belfast trip last year on it.

But on the topic, I’ve booked a place at Twycross the week after we open cause the week we open is Easter holidays which will be a nightmare!
 
Devi said:
I don’t generally buy passes cause I rarely go to the same zoo twice in a year. But as I can’t travel I went for a Twycross pass this year. It has some extra zoos in it if we can travel and I did manage a sneaky Dublin/Belfast trip last year on it.

But on the topic, I’ve booked a place at Twycross the week after we open cause the week we open is Easter holidays which will be a nightmare!
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Agree one of the reasons we have the passes is to visit reciprocal zoos obviously couldnt because of covid last yr, but twycross is local so renewed last yr also find it can get uncomfortably busy so either went first or last thing lol we shall probably go end of April just can’t wait x
 
As Twycross is available to book, it may be added to my first week's visits, even though it is around 100 miles and 100 minutes away!
 
I think Banham might be my first, as they are allowing only members entry in the first week and without having to pre-book. I hope the young Leopard is allowed out in the main enclosure now.
 
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