Animal park backers would become ‘zoo tycoons’ says founder
ABIRMINGHAM teacher who is quitting his job to open his own ‘‘zoo without bars’’ says financial backers can help choose the animal attractions.
A-level teacher Martin Blyth hopes to create the Heart of England Wildlife Park in Redditch, with up to 300 animals, to promote the protection of endangered species.
Martin has sold his house finance his childhood dream working with animals.
The 28-year-old is hoping to raise £300,000 to make his dream happen and wants to have the park open by next Easter. He has already raised more than £40,000.
He has his eyes on a 45-acre site in the town, which is set to be revealed later this month.
And to entice backers, they will be given the chance to decide what animals to of will be at the park and shape how it is managed.
Martin said: “I have been looking nationally for three years for a site for the wildlife park – a zoo without bars – and looked at sites in north Devon, Wales, Scotland and Kent. Then in March something became available on my doorstep.
“I have looked at taking over other parks and changing them. But this will be a ground-up project and people who back it on Crowdfunder will be able to shape it.
“We are giving supporters the chance to vote on the future of the collection.
“The model is very close to My Football Club. We are offering our supporters the chance to be real zoo tycoons and have an actual say on how the zoo is run. Animal enthusiasts will have the opportunity to have a say.”
Martin, who is still teaching at MPW Sixth Form College in Edgbaston
but has handed in his notice, is determined that the project will succeed.
He said: “We are going to go ahead with it regardless. Depending on how much the fundraising campaign raises will mean whether we have meerkats, lemurs, pelicans and zebras, or in addition African lions and tapirs.”
Martin said his park would differ from West Midlands Safari Park at Bewdley, where visitors drive around and see the animals.
It will be a walk-through safari and visitor centre – a “zoo without bars” with enclosures that keep both the animals and visitors safe. He said an example is Cotswold Wildlife Park. He has already received more than 400 CVs from people looking to get involved after the project was announced last month.
And he says jobs will be created not only at the park, but also indirect jobs from tourism and travel and supplies associated with the venture. The new wildlife park plan has already received the backing of Redditch MP Rachel Maclean and Redditch recruitment agency Swift Temps Limited.
Damian Lee, director of Swift Temps, said: “What excites me the most about the development of Heart of England Wildlife Park isn’t just the jobs created directly at the park, but the additional employment opportunities created across the local community.
“From taxi drivers to retail assistants and a need for additional receptionists and administrators in local hotels, the potential economic benefits could be huge.”
A full planning application could be lodged for a site in Redditch as early as next month. Plans are expected to be released later this month.
Anyone wanting to find out more about how they can support the new Redditch Zoo should visit its Crowdfunder page.