Despite reopening after lockdown, and the launch of the ‘Save Our Zoo’ appeal, Chester Zoo is still facing a £5.5m black hole in its finances. Tony McDonough reports
Chester Zoo remains in a “highly perilous” financial position despite being allowed to reopen in June following the coronavirus lockdown.
And the zoo’s chief operating officer Jamie Christon said the attraction had so far been unable to access the Government’s £100m Zoo Animals Support Fund due to the current parameters applied to it.
In early June the zoo launched an urgent Save Our Zoo public appeal for donations saying the continuation off the coronavirus lockdown, imposed in late March, was a threat to its existence. Chester Zoo’s monthly running costs are £1.6m.
By July the zoo was restricting numbers to under 5,000 a day – well down on the usual 10,000 for that month – as it looked to minimise the risk to visitors by implementing strict social distancing guidelines.
In 2019, Chester Zoo welcomed more than 2m visitors. Numbers for this year are likely to be well below that level and Mr Christon has warned the attraction is facing a £5.5m black hole in its finances with staff cuts a possibility.
This week, he is repeating the warning that the zoo, home to 35,000 animals, is still battling to secure its long-term future. He said closure would be unthinkable and would have wider implications beyond just the attraction itself.
Recent estimates have found that Chester Zoo makes an annual economic contribution of £83.1m to the North West economy, supporting 1,750 jobs in the region. And, across the world, Chester Zoo supports multiple projects to protect endangered species.
Now three Cheshire West and Chester councillors have called for a “renewed momentum” in the fight to save Chester Zoo. Jill Houlbrook, Simon Eardley and Matt Bryan have declared their continued support after expressing alarm at the economic impact that losing the UK’s most popular wildlife attraction would have on the area.
Mr Christon said: “The city of Chester without its world famous zoo is simply unthinkable. It’s a hugely important place – not just for the local and regional economy, or for the millions of people who enjoy visiting each year, but for its ground-breaking scientific research, its vital education programmes and its species-saving conservation work, globally.
“We are on the very long and slow road to recovery but the fact remains that we are still in a highly perilous position. The zoo and its mission to prevent extinction remains at risk. I therefore would like to thank Cllrs Houlbrook, Bryan and Eardley for their continued, unwavering support in the fight to save our zoo.
“They, of course, recognise that we simply cannot allow the collapse of one of the regions’ most important economic and cultural assets and have together promised to do all they can to help us to try and secure the financial help from the Government that large charity zoos like ours so desperately need right now.
“The Government has said it is continuing to talk to large zoos like us to explore ways of supporting us and our vital efforts to prevent extinction. But still there is nothing on the table.
“After significant time spent in lengthy, and what have been seemingly very positive discussions with Government representatives for several months, this is extremely disappointing for us.
Cllr Eardley added: “Chester Zoo is a place that’s held in the hearts of many and I pay tribute to our local community for the support it has given to the zoo so far. I urge everyone to do what you can though to continue that support and to help navigate the zoo through these most challenging of times.”