£2m lifeline secured for animal parks

Bosses at Howletts and Port Lympne say their animals will continue to be fed and cared for in these uncertain times thanks to vital £2 million loan. The Aspinall Foundation, which runs both of the parks, was on an upward financial trajectory at the start of the year before lockdown came into action.

Both parks closed their gates in March, and they have since been appealing for donations from the public in order to meet hefty food and maintenance bills.

Now, however, the foundation - which is continuing to ask for donations - has secured a seven-figure coronavirus business interruption loan from Barclays. The bank says without its support the popular parks’ finances would have been run dry due to the complete loss of ticket and accommodation sales.

But the cash flow will now be ensured until the end of July and foundations will be laid for a “good year in 2021”. Tony Kelly, managing director at the animal charity, said: “The £2 million loan will help make sure the 1,300 animals across both our sites still get fed and watered, and ensures that we can carry on paying our hard working animal keepers. “Our main priority right now is making sure our precious animals get the care they need, and that the foundation can carry on repatriating them to the wild when this is all over.” Meanwhile, plans have been drawn up to reopen the parks “in the very near future”. Bosses are confident social distancing rules can be adhered to by enforcing one-way routes.

The loan is set to help the parks through the summer