AFTER it was announced last week that Chester Zoo was offering £1 entry fees to families on Universal Credit, there was an interesting reaction from our readers.
Many supported the offer from Chester Zoo; however, a number of responders said they felt that the offer of a low entry fee did not go far enough.
A number of readers also were not fully aware that families on Universal Credit can also be in part-time or full-time work and need extra government support.
Gareth Davies, Vale of Clwyd MS, was one of those to question the move by the zoo.
He said: "Now to be clear, I’ve got nothing against companies offering some discounts to people and families on less income, that’s generally acceptable.
"But the disproportionality of a heavily reduced rate of £1 for people on UC whilst not considering anyone else seems deeply unfair.
"There seems to be a longstanding view from some that everyone who works lives the life of Riley.
"But that is far from the truth as many people can attest to.
"Especially with higher energy bills, interest rate rises meaning higher mortgage rates, rent going up, council tax forever increasing, the consequences of Rachel Reeves’ recent Budget to name just a few.
"And for a working family of four, you won’t get much change out of £100 to get into Chester Zoo!!
"So the unfairness of this system from a popular attraction seems a bit of a kick in the teeth for working people who are struggling as it is and seems a bit of a PR disaster given the economic times we're currently in and the widespread frustration of wage stagnation whilst at the same time Labour remove the two child benefit cap, meaning a working family with more than two kids would have to earn over £70k a year just to have the same money as a non working family."
We'd like it known that North Wales has its own brilliant zoo, the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, which has its own seasonal offers including 50% off entry on Boxing Day.
But we wanted to know if Chester Zoo – which is a charity and self-funded – should be doing more to reduce entry fees easier for lower-income families or older people wanting to take grandchildren to one of the best zoos in the UK?
And if so, how?
So this is a poll to ask whether you think that Chester Zoo could do more or is the price of entry worth it to help the charity continue to be a world leader in conservation.
We have given Chester Zoo its view but we also invite yours.
Dom Strange, Chester Zoo’s chief operating officer, said: “We recognise that the cost of living is placing real pressure on families, and we know a day out needs to feel genuinely worthwhile.
“As a conservation charity that receives no government funding, Chester Zoo relies on visitor income to care for more than 37,000 animals and support conservation projects in the UK and worldwide.
While our costs have risen significantly in recent years – with animal food up 38 per cent and energy bills more than doubling since 2019 – ticket prices have increased broadly in line with inflation.
“We offer a range of ways to help families manage the cost of a visit, including discounted advance tickets and occasional special offers.
“This is such as the opportunity to return again early for free in the new year when visiting in December – free parking, the option to bring picnics, seasonal events – like Lanterns in the winter where tickets start at £12 and Afterglow in the summer which starts at £14 – and memberships that make repeat visits much more affordable, where payment can be spread across the year.
“Through our Community Connections Scheme, we also give around 35,000 free tickets each year to schools in mostly disadvantaged areas, as well as 5,000 free tickets to charities, not-for-profits and community groups, supporting people on low incomes, care homes and local youth centres.
“With 130 acres to explore, Chester Zoo offers a full day out, and we are incredibly proud of the world-class attraction we have here. Every ticket directly supports animal care, conservation and education, and we are committed to balancing affordability with our responsibility to the animals and the environment.”
Vote in the poll and let us know.
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