Popular Cornwall attraction Dairyland to close

Dairyland is to close after suffering a 'significant financial loss every year'

A popular family attraction in Cornwall, which was first opened to the public in 1975, has announced its closure.

Dairyland Farm Park, near Newquay, was to close after suffering a "significant financial loss every year" due to the challenges of the Covid-19 epidemic and an "ongoing increase" in operating costs, bosses said.

In a statement posted on its website, the attraction confirmed it would open for one final week in October for Halloween, after which it would close for the last time on Sunday 3 November.

The company confirmed that staff were were in the process of finding all of its animals’ new homes, where they would be "loved and treasured, as they have been at Dairyland".

Manager Keith Thompson staff were undergoing a "balancing act of emotions"

General manager Keith Thompson said the news had prompted a many emotions for him and his staff.

He said: "A lot of the staff here, they came as kids and now they're bringing their kids to visit.

"It's a massive loss for Cornwall, massive loss for our team and it will be sadly missed.

"I'm feeling overwhelmed, emotional, I want to cry, as well as stay happy for the morale support.

"It's so difficult, it's just a balancing act of emotions."