Hasn't that place already threatened that? If its the one I'm thinking of they already stated that raccoons would be amongst the first to go.
UK zoos & lockdown going forward...
- Thread starter TriUK
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Hasn't that place already threatened that? If its the one I'm thinking of they already stated that raccoons would be amongst the first to go.
There's clearly more to this than we know, so I don't want to wantonly criticise, but the wording of this does rather beg the question of why they're not already open if it's this serious. Chester, ZSL, YWP, Hamerton, Dudley, Twycross and more all had the same (lack of!) information but are already open and have at least some visitor money coming in. It's troubling.
The expression “You can lead a horse to water...” comes to mind.
They’ll have to offer some form of incentive to get the required footfall over winter surely. Most zoos don’t tend to be busy over winter unless they can offer a substantial indoor package. Does either site have *choke* soft-play for example?
I imagine both Paignton and Newquay rely more heavily on tourism than most other collections. A quick sale of the LC site would help, but in the current climate that’s highly unlikely.
Fingers (and toes) crossed, but I’m not confident.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Paignton has some sort of indoor play area that seems to be very popular with parents of pre-school children all year. It's a handy place for them to meet up.
I thought they rented the LC site so a sale would not be on the cards. I may be wrong though - it wouldn't be the first time.
Paignton has an indoor play area - not sure about Newquay.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Paignton says:
In order to ensure the future of Paignton and Newquay Zoos, we are having to make some tough decisions and making posts redundant is something we are, regrettably, having to consider.
We've been wondering which posts could be made redundant? Presumably not those on the 'front line'. Keepers are indispensable as are cleaners, maintenance staff, gardeners, catering staff..... It's hard to imagine a charity employing staff in posts that aren't absolutely necessary.
In order to ensure the future of Paignton and Newquay Zoos, we are having to make some tough decisions and making posts redundant is something we are, regrettably, having to consider.
We've been wondering which posts could be made redundant? Presumably not those on the 'front line'. Keepers are indispensable as are cleaners, maintenance staff, gardeners, catering staff..... It's hard to imagine a charity employing staff in posts that aren't absolutely necessary.
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
I loose track, I thought it was Borth...Hasn't that place already threatened that? If its the one I'm thinking of they already stated that raccoons would be amongst the first to go.
I'm not sure that being dependent on a Play-Barn is too much of a positive, in the immediate (or maybe even long-term) future, especially if that is a main reason for visiting a venue.
Is it..?
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Newquay now announcing they could close permanently.Paignton stating that they have warned their respective staff they are ALL at risk of redundancy.
Full article at DevonLive
Full article at DevonLive
A link to the above.
Paignton Zoo puts staff on risk of redundancy - live updates
Paignton Zoo puts staff on risk of redundancy - live updates
Is there something else going on behind the scenes as regards their finances? I get the impression from their various statements that their situation may not have been rock solid even before this catastrophe.
I think Borth did it as well. To be honest I'd never even heard of this place pre-lockdown, but they got some media coverage off the back of threatening to destroy their animals and I think raised over £20k in donations.
Re: charities not employing staff unless they're really needed - I can think of a few that definitely do!
It does certainly seem that way. This story is certainly moving apace since yesterday’s LC announcement.
I've only read the same public statements as everyone but I definitely get this feeling too. They do seem to be far more immediately in trouble than most other places, or at least they are going out of their way to suggest so.
There’s a very interesting article on the BBC News site that may well go hand-in-glove with Newquay Zoo:
“Coronavirus:The town facing the greatest economic hit.”
“Coronavirus:The town facing the greatest economic hit.”
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Don't forget that it's only a year since their two year TB nightmare ended - a time of stagnation with empty enclosures around the zoo. They've had to erect what look like expensive anti-badger fences everywhere and the planned new savannah exhibit had to be shelved. The Lego animals this year were supposed to help them turn the corner financially.
Everything they're saying at the moment is very negative and I fear the worst now. They're not even giving a date for reopening - just 'early July'. It's as though they've already given up. I hope I'm proved wrong.
sooty mangabey
Well-Known Member
Dishonest? No, of course not. But it is possible to approach things with a greater sense of positivity and enthusiasm. I can’t wait to make my first post lockdown visits to Chester, to Hamerton, to Exmoor, because those places have generated a forward-looking sense of energy. Paignton, in contrast, just sound as if the fight has already been lost. Maybe it has. But I’m really not encouraged to want to get involved by the tone of their public statements.
Pretty much agree with what @sooty mangabey said, what I would add, that it baffles me how zoo of Paigton's size needs so much time to prepare for reopening whilist some of our smaller private zoos managed to do it in couple of days...