Mum is unhappy over afternoon slot at zoo
STRUGGLE TO GET TICKETS ‘A SLAP IN FACE’ FOR MEMBERS,
A MOTHER with two disabled children who has paid for a year’s membership so her youngsters can visit Twycross Zoo as many times as they like has been left disappointed after struggling to get tickets for when the venue reopens.
The mum, from Swadlincote, forked out the £100 yearly price so her two autistic children can visit the Leicestershire zoo and was looking forward to taking them there when it reopens next Monday.
So far the only slot they have managed to book is a late afternoon one, which she feels is a long way to travel when it is not a full day out.
She struggled to book a slot and got the afternoon one after raising the issue directly with the zoo.
The mum, aged 28, who has not been named, feels members like her children should get to visit before ordinary visitors as they have already paid up front. The mum gets in free with her two children as she is classed as their carer.
She says she feels the issue is like a “slap in the face” for members such as her family. Her children are five and 10.
The zoo has told how it has been hit hard after being forced to close for most of last year and the start of this one due to the three lockdowns during the Covid pandemic.
It cost £650,000 a month to run the venue while it was forced to stay closed and it raised just £200,000 through donations during the closure as of late last year. It is now taking bookings online, with visitors selecting their arrival times. Visitor numbers will be restricted to conform with social distancing rules. When working to maximum capacity it costs £950,000 a month to run the zoo, it says.
The zoo says on its website on the page where members can book tickets that in an attempt to be fair “we have a set allocation of each ticket type. If the ticket type you are looking for is not showing this will be because it is sold out”.
The mum said: “So after already
SHE CLAIMS
having months on end unable to go due to Covid lockdown I’ve then come to utilise my membership.
“There are tickets available but all the ‘member’ ones had gone. So if I pay again for a second time I can go. However they won’t honour the fact I’ve already paid. They say it’s so it’s fair but if they just opened them as usual everyone would have had equal opportunity to book.
“I feel it’s a huge slap in the face for members and many others had commented on this on the zoo’s Facebook page.
“The fact there are tickets there but without paying again we can’t access them is hugely unfair.
“We stood by the zoo during the pandemic and now can’t book.
“But as a member we have basically prepaid for a year yet are unable to go. I’m sorry but we have all fallen on tough times lately and it’s absolutely unfair and disgusting.”
“I understand that it is about Covid and allowing people in safely but they shouldn’t restrict those who had paid already by letting those who are buying tickets in first. I feel we are being discriminated against.”
Karen Clarke, chief operating officer at the zoo, said: “Our members are very important to us and we’re keen to show our thanks to them for supporting us through such a difficult year.
“We have membership tickets on sale currently. However, we are closely monitoring our numbers to ensure we are following government guidance.
“We are reviewing this daily and we are reviewing ticket allocations regularly to ensure all of our visitors can enjoy a safe day out.”