UK city zoos: do they have a future?

[TNT]

I've only been to Bristol once, and not to either of its competitors. Just how far apart are the 3 - Bristol/Noahs/WildPlace ?

I've been to all three in a day, and as a frequent visitor, I was finished by mid afternoon - journeys between the collections took no more than 15/25 mins.

 

[MRJ]

Whether you call it 'aspiration'or 'fantasy'' it does not have much to do with our day-to-day lives, personal choices or business decisions.
Of course I agree with your general point and I hope in our case at least we are punching well above our weight when it comes to putting some of the theories/aspirations/fantasies into practice.

I call it "aspirational" because it aspires the best possible outcome, whether it is possible in all or any situation. Calling it "fantasy" implies that it is impossible and that the person suggesting it is off with the fairies. Cleary this is not the case as various zoos around the world do offer some variation of this. In this case surely it is enough for you to say that you and other zoos in the UK have found this option to be economically unviable, rather than using a term which in it's essence is somewhat insulting.

 

[Andrew Swales]

I've been to all three in a day, and as a frequent visitor, I was finished by mid afternoon - journeys between the collections took no more than 15/25 mins.

Thanks TNT. I looks as though unless the catchment population is increasing significantly, then 'something had to give...?

Cleary this is not the case as various zoos around the world do offer some variation of this.

Are some of the examples actually 'offered by the zoo' ? Although it wasnt detailed, It sounded to me as though those mentioned at Newquay and in New Zealand were provided by the city/town. My opinion remains that the simplistic comment that 'it is easy for zoos to put on mini-busses' is fantasy. The insult is to infer that those which don't have chosen not to.

 

[Panthera1981]

I remember when I was younger that TFL offered a dedicated bus route that dropped you off outside London Zoo. I’m assuming that no longer exists.

Whipsnade did trial a few years ago a minibus service that took in it’s close catchment area. However, I think it lasted no more than 18 months.

 

[Tim May]

I remember when I was younger that TFL offered a dedicated bus route that dropped you off outside London Zoo. I’m assuming that no longer exists.

Indeed that dedicated bus service no longer runs but bus route 274 still stops close to London Zoo. (This bus runs between Angel Islington and Lancaster Gate, stopping on route, by both Camden Town Station and Baker Street Station.)

Given that four London Underground stations (Baker Street; Camden Town; Great Portland Street and Regent's Park) are all within walking distance of the zoo, I don't think that stopping the dedicated bus service is a major issue.

 

[Dassie rat]

I remember when I was younger that TFL offered a dedicated bus route that dropped you off outside London Zoo. I’m assuming that no longer exists.

As Tim says, bus Z1 no longer exists. Bus 274 links London Zoo with Camden Town and Baker Street.