Jim Parker: Paignton Zoo will survive - but it will be a much more different place in the future

I have known Stephen Kings for more years than he and I care to remember.

His background is in education and a hugely successful career mainly as head teacher at Churston Grammar School and latterly as chief executive officer of the Bay Education Trust.

How he suddenly ended up with the lions and gorillas at Paignton Zoo I’m not quite sure.

He was probably looking to put something back into the community when he became a trustee at the Wild Planet Trust, the charity that runs Paignton and Newquay zoos.

That’s what people like Stephen Kings do.

A transition to chairman and the appointment of a new CEO for the Trust followed and all seemed well. But suddenly Mr Kings had to fill the shoes of the CEO on his departure and  the so-called ‘interim’ role has been far from  ‘interim.’

Not only that, but he now finds himself in charge of a charity and business in crisis and facing the most serious financial challenge in its history stretching back more than a century.

I suspect he sometimes wishes to be back in the classroom.

The zoos, like others around the country and worldwide, have  been struggling in the past few years. Its focus as much as anything,  has been on conservation but to pay for that and feed the animals you need paying punters through the turnstiles.

Paignton Zoo - and its sister across the Tamar Bridge - are still among the top attractions in their respective areas but those visitor numbers have plunged due to a variety of challenges.

It hasn’t been for the want of trying to turn the corner. Just a few months ago the Trust announced a new partnership with Chester Zoo aimed at ‘strengthening their shared mission and accelerating progress toward key strategic goals, including advancing conservation efforts and enhancing commercial performance, during a time of challenging global economic change.”

The financial challenges just wouldn’t go away and Mr Kings took it personally when his hand was forced and there was no other option recently but to let some staff, valued members of the Paignton Zoo family, go.

Inflation and rising staffing costs have significantly strained resources, prompting a pledge to reduce expenditure by around £1 million within the financial year.

Now the fight to secure a sustainable future for the Trust has been taken to another level and a hunt for new investors to breathe new financial life into the charity has been launched.

That doesn’t mean the business is necessarily up for sale. “This isn’t about selling off the zoo, it’s about securing its future for the next 30 years,” says Mr Kings

“Securing investment will ensure we protect the long-term future of our conservation charity and continue to help halt species decline.”

He added: “We have previously shared information regarding the financial challenges that we face and whilst we have already taken appropriate action to try to ease these challenges, this is another avenue for us to investigate.”

Mr Kings says on a podcast due to be released by the Trust through Superb Media: “Like many charities, we’ve faced rising costs, global challenges, and had to make internal changes to reduce  overheads. These were difficult but necessary steps to safeguard the future.”

He emphasised that both Paignton and Newquay zoos are up and running as normal.

“Both Paignton and Newquay Zoos remain fully open and operational. All bookings, events  and experiences - including Halloween and Christmas - are going ahead as planned.”

He insists: “We are exploring investment to secure jobs, modernise facilities, and expand

conservation impact. Our goal is a zoo that not only survives but flourishes for future generations.

“The bigger picture is securing the zoo for at least the next 30 years.

 “Yes, it’s been financially challenging, which is why now is the time to act responsibly for the long term.

“Rather than focusing only on the word ‘sale,’ this is really about investment and sustainability.”

Mr Kings said the welfare of the zoo animals was paramount in all this, adding: “Our unwavering priority is the welfare of our animals. We are committed to delivering the highest standards of care, ensuring all physical, emotional, and environmental needs are met.

“Our animals receive the highest levels of care - physical, emotional, and environmental. Our mission to help halt species decline remains unchanged.”

Paignton Zoo is part of the fabric of Torbay.

Opened in 1923, it began life as the private menagerie of eccentric millionaire Herbert Whitley, who strongly believed the zoo should be “a place of learning, not just recreation.

On Whitley’s death in 1955, a trust was formed to carry on his legacy — this would become the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust.

The Trust acquired Newquay Zoo along the way and launched the now empty Living Coasts marine aviary and the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust was rebranded as the Wild Planet Trust. 

Paignton Zoo now spans 80 acres and houses over 2,000 animals and more than 1,600 plant species. It employs around 140 permanent staff, rising to over 200 during peak periods.

Almost half a million visitors attended the trust’s zoo sites according to latest figures in 2023 showing the public is still very much on board.

The support is needed now more than ever before.

Mr Kings says: “The local response has been overwhelming. People are proud of Paignton Zoo, and their support is vital. Visitors, members, and sponsors are directly helping secure the zoo’s future.

“The best way people can help is simple: Visit the zoo. Book experiences like feeding the giraffes or sponsoring an animal. Every single action strengthens our financial stability and future.

“The most powerful thing people can do is keep visiting and supporting us - that’s what secures our future.”

Potential investors have already been in touch with the Trust. I gather there has been interest from within the UK and even Europe.

Mr Kings’ vision for Paignton Zoo in another 100 years time is for a ‘a thriving conservation hub, loved by the community, inspiring future generations, and making a global impact on species protection’.

There is no way in the world anybody is going to walk away and see Paignton Zoo die and close. Can you imagine what would happen to the animals?

But the days of just looking at lions in a cage and making sure the seagulls don’t get your ice-cream are long gone.

Paignton Zoo has massive potential to be a different business and a different place. Any investors willing to open their wallets will want to make sure of that.

Strangely, perhaps this is what Paignton Zoo and the Wild Planet Trust needed. A new business model and a passport to a new, modern future. And what’s the betting Stephen Kings will still be there  leading the way….