Revenue Increases at Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts Aquarium- Attendance Down Slightly

By Philip Knowling

Paignton, UK - Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Living Coasts Aquarium in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall - all part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust – attracted nearly 788,000 visitors between them.

Living Coasts saw an increase of nearly 5,000, with numbers up from 107,869 to 112,773. Newquay Zoo received 163,682 visitors this year, down by 10,653 on 2008. Paignton Zoo had 511,402 visitors in the year to the end of October – 18,338 down on 2008, but the third year running visitor numbers have exceeded half a million.

Paignton Zoo’s Director of Marketing & Development Pippa Craddock explained: “In 2008 Paignton Zoo took part in a major national promotion with Kellogg’s which accounted for 25,000 free entries. For the twelve months to 31st October 2009, paying visitors to Paignton Zoo were up.

“More significantly, spend per head has risen this year. To the end of September, total income at Paignton Zoo – a registered charity - was up by 9%. Retail spend was up 5%, while restaurant spend was up 3%.

“Our success reflects the quality of our zoos and the money we have invested in them. It also shows that the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust is a major contributor to the economy of the region.

“This year at Paignton Zoo we had high profile events such as the birth of rare tiger cubs. Also, we have been placing greater emphasis on what a good value day out we offer. Even during the recession people want to go out – but they want to be sure of getting value for money.”

Meanwhile, visitor spend in the Living Coasts café was up 20%, thought to be due partly to increased use by people who were not visiting the site. Overall, annual visitor numbers were up for the first time since 2005.

Living Coasts Director Elaine Hayes said: “We are delighted that Living Coasts’ figures are up. It is a tribute to the investment the South West Regional Development Agency has made here and also to the dedication and commitment of the staff who work so hard to make Living Coasts the best attraction in the Bay.”

Paignton Zoo visitor numbers have risen in recent years from 480,856 in 2004 to 529,740 in 2008. The Zoo first broke through the half million barrier in 2007. In 2008 Living Coasts saw 107,869 visitors.

Pippa said: “We think there are many reasons for these results. It is not easy to identify the impact of the different factors: the weather has been mixed, the recession may have taken its toll but some people say that stay-cations have brought more people to the English Riviera. Generally, visitor numbers in the Bay seem to be down but spending is up.

“These days Living Coasts can fairly be called an all-weather attraction, as it has so much undercover – in fact, it is half outdoors and half indoors, so there is always a lot that you can do there whatever the weather. Living Coasts was noticeably busier on wet days this summer.”

She remains cautious about next year. “Even if we come out of recession, people may still be reluctant to spend. We will keep on telling people what great value our attractions are.”

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk  or ring (01803) 697500.

Photo: Paignton Zoo’s Director of Marketing & Development Pippa Craddock

To view Paignton Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-783-Paignton_Zoo_Environmental_Park