Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2020

[Shorts]

The zoo is apparently “too big” which can’t bode well for pretty much every major zoo in the UK. As Twycross is definitely in the middle of the market.

There is an argument that the bigger zoos should generate enough revenue for a decent "rainy day fund" (similar to the government not covering anyone's wages above £2,500 per month). A few years back it used to be Twycross' policy to aim to have enough cash reserves to close for a sustained period (it may have been up to a year, possibly following the foot and mouth closures)-I'm not sure whether they ever achieved this.

The reality, of course, is that most zoos roll spare cash into new enclosures or facilities. I suspect this policy will change in the future.

 

[Andrew Swales]

Only zoos with a Rateable Value below £51k can claim the 25k business rates grant, I think Hamerton was said somewhere else to have rateable value of 35k, so anything much bigger than Hamerton would not get a grant. Probably at least 20-30 zoos and even so £25k isn't going to make much difference anyway!

Yes, you are right pipaluk. Rateable value for zoos is set at a simple percentage multiplier of gross turnover. It takes no account of an organisations ability to pay, or profitability. At Hamerton we have formally appealed this twice and lost at tribunal both times, so it is set! Our r/v is £38,000 p/a, so Twycross' must be massively higher. Of course as far as the annual business rates themselves are concerned, they will pay none (or little) as they are a charity, whereas we have to pay it all.

The £25k you mention is a grant to all leisure 'businesses' in the band running up to £51k. Over £51k the grant is zero. The £25k is around 6, maybe 8, days running costs at Hamerton, so it didn't last very long here either!

As this general leisure grant was announced some weeks ago and the funds have already been distributed via the local councils, surely Dr Redrobe today appears not to be tweeting about this, but about the newly announced Zoo Fund? This was certainly the matter raised in Parliament by their MP.

Presumably (?) her timing and tweeting is because the announcement in Parliament has stopped public donations (which were trickling in nicely) pretty much completely. Despite the headline figures reported, we still wait for some detail and hopefully less confusion, but day-to-day yet again our only income stream has been decimated.

 

[Andrew Swales]

A few years back it used to be Twycross' policy to aim to have enough cash reserves to close for a sustained period

Molly had lived through the FMD outbreak I remember my father telling me about; I think it was 1967? I recall her telling me that 'they' (Twycross) had a years running costs in the bank 'in case they close us again'. Word was that when she died she had actually increased this to two years costs in the bank, but I dont know the truth of this. Whatever the figure, it was soon spent by her successors who rapidly turned a legacy into a large debt.

 

[J C]

Animal Park had actually been on in the form of repeat episodes at 6:30pm on BBC2 a few weeks ago, its finished now. It is a bit surprising that SLOTZ isn't being shown at the moment as its usually on More4 at teatime but has been absent for some time now!

I was thinking more current specials to support the zoos rather than repeats, ok use old footage of the animals to keep social distance but more high light there need for support and put it in the public domain, governments face more. Apart for on here and zoo members emails I would think the larger portion of the public are unaware the zoo almost live on a day to day bases and are unable to close to prevent out goings to there cash flows.

 

[jamie779]

Molly had lived through the FMD outbreak I remember my father telling me about; I think it was 1967? I recall her telling me that 'they' (Twycross) had a years running costs in the bank 'in case they close us again'. Word was that when she died she had actually increased this to two years costs in the bank, but I dont know the truth of this. Whatever the figure, it was soon spent by her successors who rapidly turned a legacy into a large debt.

True re large debt, let's remember it was Dr Redrobe, who turned it around and put the place on track towards its "Masterplan." Not ideal if it goes into debt to survive this, but at least it would survive.....

 

[J C]

True re large debt, let's remember it was Dr Redrobe, who turned it around and put the place on track towards its "Masterplan." Not ideal if it goes into debt to survive this, but at least it would survive.....

True and let’s not forget the master plan is backed by natwest which would have looked into the zoo before hand and realised there both investable potential and had the confidence to invest the large sums they are so hopefully they can stick to there guns also and help them through this temporary set back, if they did have money’s put away for this which hopefully they do still have, the current drive for donations could “ and I am not saying they are “ but could be coming in line with other zoos they wouldn’t look good either being the only ones not asking for help in the community and let’s be honest a years worth or even two might not be enough we just don’t know how long this will go on, I heard the other day for some wear they couldn’t see sports or event happening again this year so who knows when the leisure industry will open again

 

[jamie779]

So, depending on what happens at the weekend we may all be allowed outside exercise... hopefully, the zoo will be able to open in some capacity, if they allow for social distancing. I hope so. It is really distressing to think that they are struggling with no income. ( As is the case for the wider zoo community.)

 

[Andrew Swales]

So, depending on what happens at the weekend we may all be allowed outside exercise... hopefully, the zoo will be able to open in some capacity, if they allow for social distancing. I hope so. It is really distressing to think that they are struggling with no income. ( As is the case for the wider zoo community.)

Only if they allow people to drive, rather than banning/fining them - there can't be enough people within walking or cycling distance of Twycross, surely...?

 

[jamie779]

So, I think the PM said we can drive to places for outdoor exercise? ( Not sure?) But I hope that is the case and TZ and open to visitors, in at least some capacity....

 

[Maguari]

So, I think the PM said we can drive to places for outdoor exercise?

He did say that. I think we'll need to wait the full document tomorrow to know if it's enough to let zoos open, but it's a step in that direction at the very least.

 

[pipaluk]

So, I think the PM said we can drive to places for outdoor exercise? ( Not sure?) But I hope that is the case and TZ and open to visitors, in at least some capacity....

Johnson did say that but then said he hoped some of the leisure and hospitality sector might be open by July! Being pessimistic I took this possibly to mean zoos! I think I am probably over pessimistic and you likewise optimistic hoping for a reopening soon!

 

[Maguari]

Johnson did say that but then said he hoped some of the leisure and hospitality sector might be open by July! Being pessimistic I took this possibly to mean zoos! I think I am probably over pessimistic and you likewise optimistic hoping for a reopening soon!

As things stand I think zoos will be somewhere in between. The word from journos who were 'briefed' after the speech is that the July part was thinking of partial openings of cafes and restaurants. At the least, I can't think of any good reason why you would still have zoos closed when cafes are starting to open, so I think tje start of that phase is the latest it would make sense to keep zoos waiting to open. But of course this is assuming both the pandemic and the population behave themselves and, of course, that the government did actually apply sense in making the plan..!

 

[pipaluk]

I hope you are right and if they are talking about schools even partially reopening in June, outdoor attractions should be allowed to re-open by then I guess?!

 

[TriUK]

Johnson did say that but then said he hoped some of the leisure and hospitality sector might be open by July! Being pessimistic I took this possibly to mean zoos! I think I am probably over pessimistic and you likewise optimistic hoping for a reopening soon!

That’s what I read into that statement too.

 

[bintarong]

Nothing really since the original masterplan released about 5-6 years ago now that gives a complete picture - and even that only really covered the first 5 years in detail. But there has been a few different planning applications and presentations that give some idea to what is coming now over the next 10 years and potentially beyond.

I've pieced them together on this map, some of which are in planning right now, some of which are pulled from the original plan and then the most recent ape/education facility announcement is included too.

The key to the numbers on the map:

1. Car park expansion (planning application in progress)
2. New indoor family attraction (planning application in progress)
   
3. Predicted focus area for 2020/2021 with new 'family/childrens zone'
4. Area to be redeveloped over the next 10 years with brand new ape and monkey enclosures. At least 7-8 new enclosures.
   
5. Area where the research and educaiton facilities are planned for.
6. Possible expansion areas (taken from the original masterplan)
7. Currently car parking and back of house but was highlighted as an area for a future 'tropical forest and twilight realm' development on the original master plan.
8. Possible new main entrance from the road (taken from the original masterplan)

Hi, is there any news on where or what the rhino phase 2 or penguin cove is ?

 

[haydn]

Hi, is there any news on where or what the rhino phase 2 or penguin cove is ?

Not that I’ve seen. My guess on the Rhino phase two would be a new purpose built house adjacent to the existing enclosure. Demolishing then the old elephant house would then allow the zoo to better landscape and open up the area around Chimp Eden and the Giraffes too.

Not sure about Penguin Cove, but probably just a bigger and better enclosure.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Johnson did say that but then said he hoped some of the leisure and hospitality sector might be open by July! Being pessimistic I took this possibly to mean zoos! I think I am probably over pessimistic and you likewise optimistic hoping for a reopening soon!

Contradicting the advice and instructions donned out to zoos and financial support from Government. Where the latter is denied on the grounds that Govt. never shut down zoos for COVID19. It is a blatant and almost bizarre lie.

I think a new rhino indoor accommodation may be some time off. You might want to write the zoo want they think and have planned now .... living off their financial reserves.

 

[haydn]

I think a new rhino indoor accommodation may be some time off. You might want to write the zoo want they think and have planned now .... living off their financial reserves.

Absolutely. I don’t think we’ll see much change to what exhibits/issues they plan to tackle as part of the continued redevelopment. As a lot of it needs to be done. But there is almost certainly going to be some rethinking on timescales and scale.

That said, there is strong argument for continuing to invest as much as possible to aid a return to growth as quickly as possible - but they will need to make sure they choose the right things and focus on the improvements that attract the most visitors for the least investment initially. Much like the early days of the redevelopment plan.

 

[bintarong]

Does anyone know whats inside the children zone for the re-development, as its the next project on the list. Also do you have to pay extra for it once its finished ??

 

[haydn]

Does anyone know whats inside the children zone for the re-development, as its the next project on the list. Also do you have to pay extra for it once its finished ??

No information has yet been shared. The zoo does have planning permission to build an indoor attraction/show building in the area of the current pets corner - but the plans gave away nothing on what would be inside.