Struggling zoo bosses ‘can’t wait’ to welcome visitors back
TWYCROSS Zoo bosses “can’t wait” to welcome visitors back - but have warned the fight is not over yet as they remain desperate for funding.
A message posted on the Zoo’s Facebook page following the news that the government are set to allow them to reopen on Monday (June 15) said visitors would be told soon when and how they could book tickets.
But the Zoo also stresses that the ‘fight isn’t over yet’ as the popular attraction still faces huge financial woes.
The Zoo was hit particularly hard by lockdown, with it struggling to meet its £650,000 a month costs after it turned out it was too big to claim from a zoo fund launched to help groups through the Covid-19 lockdown.
The post from the Zoo said: “We’ve been on a rollercoaster ride over the last few weeks, and because of you and your amazing support, the government has listened.
“However, our fight isn’t over just yet, we still need the government to step in with vital financial support for large zoos.
“We will be continuing to work with other zoos by lobbying to government, and we still ask that you contact your local MP and request they attend the debate on this issue in UK Parliament tomorrow.
“We really couldn’t have done this without you all and we sincerely hope that this is the start of our recovery. We have been overwhelmed by every donation, membership purchase, and message of support over the last few months, but sadly the fight isn’t over yet.
“We can’t wait to welcome you back for a safe day out. We’ll let you know soon when and how you’ll be able to book a ticket to visit. Thank you from the whole team at Twycross Zoo.”
The plight of the zoo has touched hearts across the region.
Nine-year-old Liam Adkins was inspired to organise a sponsored scooter ride around Coventry’s War Memorial Park. He has raised more than £1,000 for the Zoo so far. Nuneaton grocers ‘Pear of Plums’ created a ‘Twycross Surprise Box’ of goods, offering 100 per cent of the £10 price tag to the Zoo. Some customers even asked to buy the boxes and then have the goods delivered to the zoo.
Brothers Macsen and Osian decided to do a sponsored ‘polar bear plunge,’ jumping into a paddling pool full of icy cold water to raise as much money as possible.
They have a set a £1,000 target and have almost reached it. Back in April, Twycross Zoo launched a donations campaign to ‘Celebrate its past and protect its future.’
The focus was then on protecting the future of the 57-year old zoo. Thousands of pounds have been raised through donations and while the zoo are incredibly grateful for all the support shown by the public, more financial help is still needed.