WARRINGTON’S two MPs have got behind the campaign to save the popular tourist attraction Chester Zoo, which could be in danger of going out of business, after being told to remain closed indefinitely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government has ordered that the zoo may have to stay closed indefinitely, which has left the zoo, which is home to 15,000 animals, on the brink of extinction.
Not being able to open, despite being a huge outdoor site with all the necessary safety measures in place, is having a devastating impact on the much-loved zoo, which is heading towards debt in excess of £24m by the end of 2020.
The zoo says: “This will financially cripple us. We need to raise £1.6m each month to keep going.
“Meanwhile, we’re having to sit back and watch as people are piling onto beaches and into public parks, where there is no way of controlling numbers, no way of guaranteeing people are socially distanced and no way of ensuring safety. We, can do all of this.
“We look on as, from this week, private gardens open up, while we and our own 128 acres of gardens and 16km of pathways remain closed, and under enormous financial pressure.”
Warrington South MP Andy Carter said: “I’ve joined with my Cheshire Conservative MP Colleagues to highlight to the government the amazing conservation work of Chester Zoo because of the risks to its survival.
“Although the attraction has had to close during the Coronavirus crisis, I have pressed ministers personally to sanction a safe reopening of the significant outdoor spaces at Chester Zoo as soon as possible.
“Government has allocated funding for all zoos to support them. I’ve heard from many constituents today and agree that Chester Zoo is of international importance, as well as a much-loved local asset which we need to preserve.
“The zoo have already announced a raft of safety measures they have put in place in readiness for re-opening in order to keep visitors, staff and of course the animals as safe as possible.”
Meanwhile Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols said: “Thank you to all of the Warrington North constituents who have contacted me today about Chester Zoo. I’ve spent many happy afternoons there myself over the years, so just like you I am keen to see it reopen safely and have a secure future!
“I am only too happy to work with Chris Matheson and other colleagues in Parliament to facilitate this.”
Chester MP Chris Matheson wrote to the Government asking them to reverse a decision not to allow ther Zoo to reopen despite putting stringent safety measures in place.
The city’s number one visitor attraction says the move has ‘thrown the future of the zoo into doubt’.
Mr Matheson said: “The Government is in an absurd situation. They are allowing Kew Gardens and Alton Towers to open but not the 128 acres of Chester Zoo. I’m really concerned not just for the local economy but for the world-leading environmental and ecological work such as the sustainable palm oil campaign which it has led the world on.”
Mr Matheson has written to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and spoken to Secretary of State George Eustice MP, telling him: ‘You’ve got a problem’.
Meanwhile in a joint statement Clare Hayward MBE DL, Chair, Cheshire and Warrington LEP and Angie Robinson, Chair, Marketing Cheshire, said: “Public safety is our number one concern as the attractions and businesses in our region start to re-open. We know, as one of the UK’s leading visitor attractions, just how seriously Chester Zoo have taken their preparations to open in a Covid-secure way, making every possible adjustment to ensure the wellbeing of visitors, staff and the animals. Chester Zoo is a much loved national asset and we would urge people to support their campaign.”
🐘🐢SAVE OUR ZOO🦁🐧
As the UK’s biggest charity zoo, we’ve tried to stay positive during this pandemic.
Our conservationists have continued to prevent extinction, our virtual days have cheered up the nation and our learning resources have helped home-schooling families. pic.twitter.com/TW6U6tHpZl
— Chester Zoo (@chesterzoo) June 3, 2020
We REFUSE to cut corners when it comes to caring for the animals ❤️
We REFUSE to give up on our fight to prevent extinction 🌎
And because of that, we’ve now reached the point where we desperately NEED YOUR HELP 🙏
We need you to SAVE OUR ZOO…https://t.co/hDxqKBXs8P pic.twitter.com/13mLc1Josn
— Chester Zoo (@chesterzoo) June 3, 2020
Thank you for your overwhelming messages of love and support. You are incredible ❤️️❤️️
There is a lot of traffic on our website, where you can find out about all the ways you can help us right now.
If you’re simply looking to donate, please head to https://t.co/LxIczUaimw
— Chester Zoo (@chesterzoo) June 3, 2020
