In most of the news reports about this they state that the Trust owns Paignton Zoo and runs Newquay Zoo so I am not sure they own the land there. Is it not still owned by the local Council?
Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo news 2025
- Thread starter TriUK
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I fully agree, a formal statement is necessary.
I'll need to go and check their accounts but if Paignton Zoo is struggling financially, I presume that Newquay isn't doing much better, it's more remote and smaller and I can find news articles that they're running at a loss too. To my mind it'd make more sense to cast Newquay adrift and trim down the losses partly by that, owning Newquay doesn't really provide any benefits to the group. Given it's history, the core priority of the group should be to maintain Paignton as a going concern.
My understanding is that the trusts reserves were there so that in the case of the zoos closure, the conservation projects and nature reserves could be supported with a gradual withdrawal of funds, rather than immediately.
Other than maybe Primley Park, Clennon and Slapton have little development value (can't develop on Slapton anyway as Herbert Whitley put a stop to that in the 1920's), so not worth selling. The conservation value is far greater than the money they would probably receive IMO.
Joint statement from Wild Planet Trust and Chester Zoo – Wild Planet Trust
I remembered this today, announced recently- Could this partnership blossom into a sister site takeover?
I remembered this today, announced recently- Could this partnership blossom into a sister site takeover?
What does the partnership even involve? It's very vague marketing speak.
If you were an eternal optimist and Uber positive about the interpretation of that statement you could read into it that Chester will invest in Paignton Zoo or ‘join forces’?
If you were much more realistic you could read that they will share ideas and collaborate even more closely with research and overseas conservation efforts?
If I had to make a guess, reading from the wording there, it seems like Paignton might be using various behind scenes services that Chester are offering, in order to reduce costs as opposed to doing it themselves. The statement explicitly references increasing costs and the impact of them. Also doing more conservation work co-operatively to spread costs. It doesn't sound like Chester will be buying them out and if there were interested in that, I doubt that yesterday's news would have been publicised. The Chester CEO's statements very much sound it's something that Chester are offering Paignton, not a partnership of equals.
Setting up such a deal though shows that the zoo leadership team are thinking long term, so it's a slight indication as to the state of the zoo.
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Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
In the history section of Newquay zoo website, it says that the zoo was bought by Mike Thomas and Roger Martin in 1994. In 2003 Newquay zoo joined with Paignton Zoo and became part of Wild Planet Trust,which owns the Newquay zoo site/land.
…, from PZ website this morning;
Paignton Zoo looking for investment
A MESSAGE TO OUR VALUED MEMBERS AND GUESTS
We are aware that recent media coverage regarding Wild Planet Trust may have raised some concerns and questions, and we wanted to provide you with some reassurance and clarity.
Both Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo remain fully open and operational, and we continue to welcome members and guests as usual. Your continued support is hugely appreciated and plays an even more vital role during this time. All bookings are still valid, and all events, including Halloween and Christmas, are going ahead as planned.
As part of our commitment to the long-term sustainability of both zoos we are exploring the possibility of securing external investment. These discussions are in the early stages, and no decisions have been made. Any future steps will be taken with the best interests of our animals, our staff and our mission to help halt species decline at heart.
Please be assured that our priorities remain unchanged: delivering the highest standards of animal welfare, education and visitor experience to our members and guests.
We will update you when we are in a position to share more information.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Paignton Zoo looking for investment
A MESSAGE TO OUR VALUED MEMBERS AND GUESTS
We are aware that recent media coverage regarding Wild Planet Trust may have raised some concerns and questions, and we wanted to provide you with some reassurance and clarity.
Both Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo remain fully open and operational, and we continue to welcome members and guests as usual. Your continued support is hugely appreciated and plays an even more vital role during this time. All bookings are still valid, and all events, including Halloween and Christmas, are going ahead as planned.
As part of our commitment to the long-term sustainability of both zoos we are exploring the possibility of securing external investment. These discussions are in the early stages, and no decisions have been made. Any future steps will be taken with the best interests of our animals, our staff and our mission to help halt species decline at heart.
Please be assured that our priorities remain unchanged: delivering the highest standards of animal welfare, education and visitor experience to our members and guests.
We will update you when we are in a position to share more information.
Thank you again for your continued support.
I should say that this does not read as though it was written by the usual comms team and the situation in general does not seem to have involved them either. If it had, I would imagine everything would have been communicated in a far more professional manner. On what planet did the trustees and/or CEO (I imagine) think going to the press before making their own official statement, such as this, was appropriate.
Again, really thinking of the staff! Awful week for UK zoos.
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Nice little visit today.
Staff seem concerned but positive that investors will be found. We can but hope!
The hog babies ate truly adorable.
2 of the hogs are off to Edinburgh very soon. Squash and 1 of last years litter. Confirmation we are getting 4 Markhor from Edinburgh (not HWP as we thought).
Staff seem concerned but positive that investors will be found. We can but hope!
The hog babies ate truly adorable.
2 of the hogs are off to Edinburgh very soon. Squash and 1 of last years litter. Confirmation we are getting 4 Markhor from Edinburgh (not HWP as we thought).
I suspect they've got some consultants in to try and manage the process, it smacks of that wording from my experience in my worklife (I work in government procurement and regularly come across them). Supposedly it's worth the costs in terms of bringing contacts together and managing the process but I've always found their costs to outweight the benefits. It's very much a holding statement and doesn't really provide any glimpse into what we're dealing with here, bit of a missed opportunity to settle some racing pulses.
I can only hope that this whole process leads to a revitalisation of the zoo in the medium term future. It's not necessarily all doom and gloom, they only need look across the Bay to Torquay United to see a formerly struggling local institution reborn and re-embraced by the community.
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
Typhlonectes
Well-Known Member
You mean Sand Lizard, singular
interesting decision not to have a group!
Do we have any idea when the Markhors will arrive?
Copied this off social media as I was intrigued by this "bright yellow building". Any idea what this building previously used for? Presume it may well become an additional payment attraction, child orientated possibly?
A huge thank you to the brilliant team from the Barclays Paignton branch, who spent the day painting an un-used (and bright yellow!) building, which will soon have a whole new purpose thanks to their hard work
Not only did they swap spreadsheets for paintbrushes and get stuck in with enthusiasm, but they also generously donated £500 to support their efforts This contribution helped us purchase the painting equipment and materials needed for the day, and it’s made a real difference to our ongoing projects.
As a conservation charity, support like this is vital. When businesses give their time and resources, it helps us continue our mission and improve the spaces we care for
Thank you so much Barclays! We’re incredibly grateful for your hard work, generosity, and community spirit
If your business is looking for a meaningful way to give back, we’d love to hear from you: corporate@wildplanettrust.org.uk
A huge thank you to the brilliant team from the Barclays Paignton branch, who spent the day painting an un-used (and bright yellow!) building, which will soon have a whole new purpose thanks to their hard work
Not only did they swap spreadsheets for paintbrushes and get stuck in with enthusiasm, but they also generously donated £500 to support their efforts This contribution helped us purchase the painting equipment and materials needed for the day, and it’s made a real difference to our ongoing projects.
As a conservation charity, support like this is vital. When businesses give their time and resources, it helps us continue our mission and improve the spaces we care for
Thank you so much Barclays! We’re incredibly grateful for your hard work, generosity, and community spirit
If your business is looking for a meaningful way to give back, we’d love to hear from you: corporate@wildplanettrust.org.uk
If it's where I think it is... It's an off show area of the zoo, behind the again off show cages that have held colobus, and most recently gibbons. It was previously a lab, but has been used for storage for a number of years now. Unlikely it will be anything public facing due to its location.
Can think of VR pods / Fairground games / Jungle Fun play area
A train was hired in last year, but not this year afaik