Telford zoo 'too popular' to stay open at current site
- Published
Staff are "working hard to find a solution" in order to reopen the zoo to the public in the future, a spokesman said
A zoo whose closure was met by a public outcry on Facebook may reopen on a more prominent site, it has been announced.
The Exotic Zoo in Priorslee, Telford, revealed on Tuesday evening facilities were no longer suitable for the number of visitors it was attracting.
It said it would still provide educational programmes, but public entry would stop on 23 February.
The news prompted more than 1,900 comments on social media, many asking if it could be saved.
Telford and Wrekin Council said on Wednesday afternoon it would be working with zoo staff to develop a possible new site in Telford Town Park.
Carolyn Healy, cabinet member for visitor economy, said the zoo would be "a great addition" to the park and would "complement the existing facilities".
The zoo has been operating from its Priorslee base for eight years, but only opened to the general public just over two years ago.
Owner Scott Adams said at its busiest times, parking, toilets and other facilities were insufficient for the number of visitors.
A shortage of penguins meant Telford's Exotic Zoo had to fill its new exhibit with model birds
Responding to the initial news of its closure, Chris Tommy Evans said on Facebook, external whenever he had attended "there have been plenty of visitors so there's clearly high demand!"
Louise Mooney wrote: "Gutted! I tell everyone how amazing it is! I've brought so many different people with us. What can we all do to help?!"
Sonia Leigh described the closure as a "huge loss for Telford".
In a statement posted on Telford and Wrekin's website on Wednesday, the local authority said it had proposed a new site for the zoo adjacent to the Wonderland attraction, which it said would allow the zoo to expand while retaining its education therapy programmes at Priorslee.
The proposals are subject to respective licensing and planning permissions, it said.
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- Published1 October 2018
