Twycross Zoo to reopen safely next week

Visitors are being asked to book tickets online and there will be a restricted number each day to allow for social distancing.

Families can go visit Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire next week after they closed in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Zoos, safari parks and drive-in cinemas are set to reopen from Monday 15th June.

Twycross Zoo is welcoming the news following a period of worry after being told last week that it could be closed 'indefinitely' and would be left to fight to save the zoo.

It costs over half a million pounds a month to keep the zoo operating and providing the care for their endangered animals.

Twycross Zoo's, CEO Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, said: "The last few months have been a real rollercoaster, but the support we have received has been humbling and has left us yet more determined to fight every battle needed to ensure the survival of our 57-year old zoo."

Last week, Twycross Zoo announced that it was extremely concerned for its future after the Government ordered them to remain closed.

Sharon continued: "This is an important day and one we will never forget, while we are delighted to be able to reopen safely next week it is only the first step in what will be a long and uncertain road to recovery, but this decision gives us hope. We need to continue to work hard now to secure vital Government funding for large zoos, to aid in the financial crisis we find ourselves in and protect our future."

Visitors will be asked to stick to strict allocated arrival times to ensure the limited number of visitors will be spread out around the zoo. Only those who have booked online in advance will be admitted.

Karen Clarke, Chief Operating Officer at Twycross Zoo, commented: "We are delighted to be finally welcoming visitors back to our award-winning zoo, though we will be remaining extremely cautious and keeping our staff, visitors and animals safe, will remain our top priority. We have been preparing for this day for some time and have implemented considerable changes to ensure we are a safe place to visit.

"Visitors and members have shown us enormous support during this period, and it will be wonderful to welcome them back safely to enjoy a day out next week."

They have published full details of the measures they are taking to keep people safe on its website which includes guests using a one-way route around the site to help visitors evenly spread, protection screens have been installed at all pay points and all food and refreshments will be served as takeaway options.

Dr Luke Evans, the Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has said that he is ‘delighted’ at the news that Twycross Zoo is to reopen it’s doors to the general public next week.

Dr Luke said “I’ve been working with and campaigning for Twycross Zoo since prior to lockdown having asked questions in PMQs; written to DEFRA, DCMS, the Treasury and Prime Minister; and having had meetings with several ministers.

“Closing the gates was necessary but nevertheless devastating to the zoo’s business model, which in turn jeopardised their conservation programmes and the animals they look after. I’m delighted that they can now open their gates next week.

“Reopening means that Twycross Zoo will be able to access their most important source of income once more, but they are not out of the woods yet. Visitor numbers will have to be kept relatively low and financial support from the Government will be needed.

“Dr Sharon Redrobe and her team at Twycross have done have remarkable job in raising awareness of the challenges that all good zoos face.
“I will continue to work with Sharon and lobby ministers to seek reassurances that Twycross Zoo will receive help through the next tough period of lifting lockdown.”

Meanwhile, Council Leader Stuart Bray has formally written to the Prime Minister pressing for urgent government support for Twycross Zoo.

He said: “Twycross Zoo has never faced a challenge to its survival such as this one in its proud 57 year history.  While indications that zoos will be allowed to reopen with social distancing measures in place from Monday are very welcome, the devastating financial impact of this extended period of closure on the future of this institution is alarming, not only for the impact on the endangered species and animal conservation work but also for the many livelihoods Twycross Zoo sustains in the Hinckley and Bosworth area. 

The council has been working closely with senior officials at Twycross Zoo throughout the closure and we were very concerned to learn from them that the zoo is not eligible for the covid-19 zoo support the government unveiled earlier this year.  The future of Twycross Zoo is now precarious.

The Council has already raised this issue with Ministers through the District Council Network.  Now I have written to the Prime Minister and urged him to review the funding available to larger zoos such as Twycross without delay.”