Living Coasts (Closed) Living Coasts closed permanently

[Cat-Man]

Oh really? I lived there for like a decade and a half and never knew that. Shows how well it was advertised I guess.

Torquay is generally the 3rd or 4th most visited seaside resort in the country despite not having the large population centres next to it like Brighton/Blackpool and it was in a great location in the town. So it wasn't lacking the tourist base. I think it struggled because of it's size more than anything else, it only took about an hour to go around and while you could get a double ticket with Paignton Zoo, they're about a 20 min drive/45 min to an hour bus ride apart (depending on bus timings), so that would put people off doing it as the default. For locals it was often a single visit and that was it unlike Paignton Zoo where people could happily visit yearly.

I’d also think of it was in a more ‘infrastructure heavy’ location it would ruin its charm. It couldn’t have worked in a bigger town or city because it would feel so out of touch in its surroundings. It was the perfect spot, and we’re all the poorer for losing it.

 

[Sausagefingers]

My understanding was that when it was constructed it was not of the best quality, leaking pools and under performing equipment had a major affect from the start? This probably degraded over time faster then was expected even with the corrections that were done.

 

[Panthera1981]

I’d also think of it was in a more ‘infrastructure heavy’ location it would ruin its charm. It couldn’t have worked in a bigger town or city because it would feel so out of touch in its surroundings.

Case in point the London Aquarium (or whatever it’s calling itself nowadays). It just doesn’t work for me-and less said about it’s penguin “exhibit” the better!

I do wonder what ZSL would’ve made of it’s project in Stratford if it ever came to fruition. Sadly we’ll never know, but the plans looked very impressive!

 

[TriUK]

Gutted to hear about Living Coasts closing down, especially as they couldn't keep it open for one more season to let people visit for a final time. It really was something quite unique and a rather attractive feature of Torquay's seafront. Seems to have been a victim of both being too small, so it didn't attract many locals more than once (it's attendance starting dropping after 6/7 years open) and the COVID-19 crisis combined into a horrible mix. Think it might have survived a few more years if Paignton Zoo was making it's usual profits and could continue to subsidise it. Looks like Paignton made the tactical decision to ensure Paignton/Newquay's survival. Interesting that they mention the upkeep costs are particularly high and bordering on uneconomical - surely they should have looked at this when it was built, it's only 17 years old.

I hope the Council or some particularly rich individual comes out of the woodwork and tries to save it but I highly doubt that's going to happen. Makes me worried for the future of the animals and in particular for the future of Torquay, it's a prime tourist site that's going to sit empty at a time when the town really needs some attracting tourists and spending money, like Living Coasts would have.

There is an element of mismanagement though, the restaurant/bar on that site has potentially the best views on Torquay harbourside and yet it's barely used as more than a zoo restaurant. They should have opened it to the general public with a separate entrance and used it to subsidise Living Coasts. Can't say I ever heard of anyone going there despite living in Torquay for years, real missed opportunity.

The site is leased from Torbay council. I wonder if the pump & filtration systems, some newer netting etc could be re-used & upcycled & salvaged for PZ & NZ? We did one evening about 10 years ago on the LC terrace when they hosted a cafe mambo styled sundowner party with music and cocktails. It was one of the best nights ive had in the bay & it could have been utilised more! I’m still really sad, but maybe PZ can start to thrive again now?

 

[Daubentoniidae]

Such a shame about this place, I never got to visit unfortunately but it looked great. Hope the animals and staff have some luck finding what they need.

 

[Jonfla]

I always thought the actual infrastructure for the pools is too big for the size of the site. For a non zoo nerd, LC doesn't have enough to make it more than a very brief visit. Maybe a sea lion show or similar would have helped.
Position and cafe superb. Always thought it should be joint entry with Paignton, but that would not have helped the revenue stream. I may be wrong, but prior to L.C. I have a feeling it was a water park for kids.
Can anyone confirm that?

 

[Ned]

here's a spot of history.

Torquay’s Coral Island: “Like a part of Capri” - We Are South Devon

I visited the aquarium 'Aqualand' that existed there.

 

[Cat-Man]

here's a spot of history.

Torquay’s Coral Island: “Like a part of Capri” - We Are South Devon

I visited the aquarium 'Aqualand' that existed there.

A wonderful read. I wonder what comes next in this places fascinating history.

 

[Nathano]

I never went to Living Coasts, but always thought it looked good. Gutted to hear of the closure - however, ultimately, if Paignton Zoo and Newquay are brought a lifeline from this...

I do find it very unlikely that the council will just tear it down to make flats - for example, if Merlin Entertainments are looking to make another SEA LIFE centre, there's still the infrastructure.

Of course, SEA LIFE centres are likely where a lot of the animals will end up - are there any non-SEA LIFE affiliated aquariums in the UK, besides Blue Planet?

 

[Maguari]

Of course, SEA LIFE centres are likely where a lot of the animals will end up - are there any non-SEA LIFE affiliated aquariums in the UK, besides Blue Planet?

Plenty - as well as places like The Deep in Hull and the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth there is also a stream of ex-SLCs, SeaQuariums, Blue Reefs and so on. The 'aquarium' stock shouldn't be too problematic to rehome, and the fur seal European studbook will be able to make the arrangements needed for them. The birds are the less straightforward part.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Forgive the opinion of very much an outsider re LC. This part of the UK is very much an outlier and people probably visit for beach and resort. I do figure honestly that LC was very much in a spot from the outset. The issues cited with size, maintenance and facilities probably affected the business plan and thus operation of the site. As long as PZ and Newquay were doing fine, it was allright as any deficits would be covered by the larger zoo association. But when a financial operation crisis came along like Corona lockdown is, it was affected beyond repair. Sorry to say and hear of its closure, but my 50 cents ...

BTW: I have visited PZ and at the time also decided that Torquay was too long a shot for me. Time spent versus time for travel and getting to and fro was definitely a measure of my decision not to do so. And yes, I loved PZ!

 

[Nathano]

Plenty - as well as places like The Deep in Hull and the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth there is also a stream of ex-SLCs, SeaQuariums, Blue Reefs and so on. The 'aquarium' stock shouldn't be too problematic to rehome, and the fur seal European studbook will be able to make the arrangements needed for them. The birds are the less straightforward part.

Firstly, my statement was partially a joke - a subtle way of pointing out that SEA LIFE centres are bloody everywhere and that's where a lot of the animals will likely end up, what with international travel restrictions, they'll be looking for places in the UK.

I don't think the birds will be that difficult to rehome - there are WWT centres and I'm pretty sure plenty of zoos will snap up the penguins.

Secondly, I've never heard of Blue Reef before - I know West Midlands Safari Park has a SeaQuarium, but I wasn't aware that there were any more. What UK aquariums are ex-SLCs, just to be curious?

 

[Nisha]

Firstly, my statement was partially a joke - a subtle way of pointing out that SEA LIFE centres are bloody everywhere and that's where a lot of the animals will likely end up, what with international travel restrictions, they'll be looking for places in the UK.

I don't think the birds will be that difficult to rehome - there are WWT centres and I'm pretty sure plenty of zoos will snap up the penguins.

Secondly, I've never heard of Blue Reef before - I know West Midlands Safari Park has a SeaQuarium, but I wasn't aware that there were any more. What UK aquariums are ex-SLCs, just to be curious?

Newquay, Portsmouth, Tynemouth and Hastings were sold by Merlin to the same buyer in the early 00's and became the Blue Reef chain. St Andrews and Southend on Sea have also been sold (to separate people) and are now in private ownership

 

[Maguari]

I don't think the birds will be that difficult to rehome - there are WWT centres and I'm pretty sure plenty of zoos will snap up the penguins.

The penguins aren't necessarily as straightforward as that as there aren't a lot places with Macaroni but sure they'll find a home somewhere. It's more the other sea birds I'm thinking of though, which don't easily fit at WWT. Kittiwakes, auks, terns, cormorants and so on.

Secondly, I've never heard of Blue Reef before - I know West Midlands Safari Park has a SeaQuarium, but I wasn't aware that there were any more. What UK aquariums are ex-SLCs, just to be curious?

Rhyl SeaQuarium is another ex-SeaLife, IIRC. Owned by same company as West Mids (as was another in Weston until fairly recently).

 

[Nathano]

The penguins aren't necessarily as straightforward as that as there aren't a lot places with Macaroni but sure they'll find a home somewhere. It's more the other sea birds I'm thinking of though, which don't easily fit at WWT. Kittiwakes, auks, terns, cormorants and so on.

Looking on their website, they seem very confident that all the animals will find new homes. That's assuming whatever third party repurposes the site isn't planning on keeping at least some of the pre-existing aquarium infrastructure, which would mean some of the animals being kept on-site.

 

[Panthera1981]

The penguins aren't necessarily as straightforward as that as there aren't a lot places with Macaroni but sure they'll find a home somewhere. It's more the other sea birds I'm thinking of though, which don't easily fit at WWT. Kittiwakes, auks, terns, cormorants and so on.

Could London take the Macaroni back? They held them briefly before they transferred.

 

[Nathano]

Could London take the Macaroni back? They held them briefly before they transferred.

Probably - they've got a good penguin enclosure there.

 

[ThylacineAlive]

Looking on their website, they seem very confident that all the animals will find new homes. That's assuming whatever third party repurposes the site isn't planning on keeping at least some of the pre-existing aquarium infrastructure, which would mean some of the animals being kept on-site.

I'm sure they will all find new homes eventually, however I think you're being a bit overly optimistic in how easy it's going to be to rehome the more obscure and difficult to keep birds. Not just any collection can take on Macaroni Penguin, guillemot, or kittiwakes for instance, and their rarity in zoos to begin with will create a challenge in finding new collections to take them. This will be made even more difficult by the fact that lockdowns are still very much in place to varying degrees of severity across Europe and the globe as a whole. It's already been made much more complicated than in the past to move animals from the UK to continental Europe thanks to Brexit and this will make things even harder. I know within the US nearly all animal transfers are on hold indefinitely. An additional hurtle will be that WPT are struggling as a whole right now. Not sure if you've kept up with their reports during the lockdown but they do not present a lot of hope that Newquay or even Paignton will survive this crisis long-term. Neither zoo has reopened yet, as they have not had the funds on-hand to bring back furloughed staff in order to create the one-way walkways and other COVID-19 safety measures needed to meet reopening requirements.

Personally, I don't see much chance of any of the LC animals finding a new home within WPT, and their current financial crisis (as well as the global financial crisis) will make it very difficult to transfer the mass number of animals present at LC to other facilities, especially if they're outside the UK--which for the rarer seabirds, they almost certainly will have to be.

~Thylo

 

[TriUK]

I think that many of the birds at LC could be housed at PZ, at least in the short term.

 

[ThylacineAlive]

I think that many of the birds at LC could be housed at PZ, at least in the short term.

Some of the shorebirds certainly, but from my understanding PZ does not have the proper housing for penguins or auks. Maybe the cormorants, terns, and kittiwakes could be housed there temporarily, but this assumes PZ has the space and the resources to do so right now, which I'm not entirely convinced they do when we're talking about this many animals. Of course, there will be a few members here who could clarify on that situation more.

~Thylo