Chester Zoo Chester Zoo told to prepare to remain closed indefinitely

Although justgiving have waved some administration fees from these covid related fundraisers, they are still collecting a nice little sum for themselves.
Chester have expressed thanks to those of us that are not requesting our memberships be extended beyond the original expiry dates, so paying that lump sum can have made a difference if we all do it.
I asked before, but is paying for membership to a zoo, or buying an annual ticket more beneficial to a zoo than paying for three or more visits?

 

Good job I made a donation then as I wanted to make sure they got the most from it, and also made sure I signed up to gift aid.

 

Andrew, if it’s any consolation, I sent a donation to Hamerton’s page 48 hours ago. It’s not much I’m afraid, but hope it’s of some help.

 

It ALL helps, and will all be spent wisely - thank you.

 

In our case we use a simple multiplier of three, which I think is quite common?
So, your 4th visit or more (in the year) would benefit you if you had a season ticket, or us if you didn't.
BUT thinking about it... if you were a regular visitor, the most beneficial (to the zoo, using our example) would be to buy the season ticket (which would be classed as a sale and therefore be taxable etc), but then make donations during visits 4 onwards, which would not be.

 

Thanks Andrew. I don't know why, but I thought maybe the tax was lower on the season ticket/memberships, giving the zoo a bigger portion of the fee.

 

Interesting, I tend to get a drink and something to eat as a way of giving a little more to the zoo. But this has only been more recently due to being in a better financial position.

 

Anything you spend on goods or services (including entry) will be taxed as a 'sale' at whatever rate fits. A charity might be able to get back gift-aid on some of it, but this is not automatic. A donation (ie a gift with no 'benefit') is just that, a gift - and is tax free.

 

I understand that, just didn't think of gifting a donation instead of buying something there to give a little boost.

 

If it's any consolation we have donated to Chester.

And Hamerton.

 

Chester total is now over 2.3 million plus £400,000 in gift Aid.

The supermarket Iceland have also adopted all the penguins.

 

Mildly ironic given Humboldt's don't really come from "icelands".

 

Zoo minister says Government will support Chester Zoo

Dr Kieran Mullan MP said “This morning I wanted to make sure Zac knew the strength of feeling amongst my constituents and across Cheshire and the pride people have in Chester Zoo and how important it is we make sure the government gets behind them.

“We have been able to secure a commitment from Zac that the government will do whatever it takes to support Chester Zoo through the pandemic.

"We can be confident about the future of this fantastic place that so many of us have great memories of visiting."

The quotes from the zoo in the same article are a bit more downbeat.

 

Response from the zoo:

A response to Zac Goldsmith’s online meeting with MPs and pledge to support the zoo (08/06/2020) | Chester Zoo

"Whilst we very much welcome that news of our plight has clearly now caught the attention of politicians, the update from yesterday’s meeting of MPs doesn’t change the fact that we are still on a knife edge."

 

The zoo has confirmed that it has opened a voluntary redundancy scheme for staff:

Zoo on 'knife edge' as they open voluntary release scheme for staff

Whilst obviously its always sad when people lose their jobs, I think this seems like a sensible plan. I've already seen a few people moaning about it on social media though, stating that their donations should have prevented this and that the zoo should just ask people to donate more money when they run out!

 

FYI, they offered redundancy to staff in a letter dated 4th June (last Thursday).

 

It's not the first time they've played with penguin's in Iceland.

 

£2.5m on CrowdFunder - a promise from the Government to save them (maybe even at the expense of other Zoos) - and then they announce 300 job losses...mmmm???

 

Where did you see the 300 number? All the news reports I've seen only mention a voluntary scheme which seems completely sensible at this time.

 

I personally didn't, but we were asked the question (to quote on these three 'steps' listed) - by local media today.