Inconceivable that zoo could move from its current location

IT is inconceivable that Bristol will lose its Zoological Gardens after 180 years. The zoo brilliantly survived the greatest peace time threat to its existence some years ago in the aftermath of the phasing out of its largest animals and focussing on being a centre of excellence for research and protection of endangered species.

Set a beautiful parkland setting, easily approached from many directions and served by bus routes, it offers a wonderful family day out in awe-inspiring surroundings and deservedly still attracts 500,000 visitors a year.

Hopefully the entirety of Bristol will not take the news of the potential loss of another jewel in our fast depleting crown lying down! The “magic” that exists at its current site will never be replicated at Cribbs Causeway. A business (for that is what the zoo must be run as), which attracts 500,000 visitors a year should not be operating at a loss. It is obviously in need of support and the right sort of guidance.

The rescue plan could be relatively simple. First and foremost it needs to appoint an absolute top quality financial guru recruited from the private sector. Businesses in the private sector survive only by ensuring income exceeds expenditure. If expenditure increases it finds ways to generate more income. More income will come from its visitors and donors.

So, provided the zoo agrees to put on hold a relocation to South Gloucestershire for say five years, Bristol City Council should offer to pay the salary of such a financial guru recruited by one of our local firms of top quality “head hunters”.

Next, with the unqualified support of the council, The Downs Committee should restore to its original level the number of days a year the Downs may be used as an overflow car park for the Zoo.

This nonsense of reducing the number of days in an attempt to eliminate car parking for the zoo in an unobtrusive area when the Downs hosts circuses and fun fairs by the water tower, is a disgraceful irritant which has obviously played a certain part in the desire to relocate.

Those for whom traffic fumes are the main concern should bear in mind that electric cars are the future. With the right financial person in charge, and more parking available, losses can and will be eradicated and the future at the existing site made sustainable.

If Bristol just rolls over and waves goodbye to the zoo as it did with Filton airfield heaven help us! Peter Watts

Bristol