It was just
about six weeks ago that it was all gloom and doom at Blackbrook Zoo near Leek
in Staffordshire. The attraction had
been put into administration because of financial difficulties and placed on
the open market for sale.
Now the picture is looking a lot brighter as administrators selling it as a going concern have said that they had received "several serious offers" and had accepted one. They said the identity of the buyer, which runs another zoo in the UK, could not be revealed as contracts had yet to be exchanged. It is hoped that the deal can be completed in four weeks.
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| Hopes high about saving Blackbrook Zoo |
Glyn Horsley, who runs the reptile house at
Blackbrook as a separate business, said it was a "definite load lifted off
our shoulders"."We were concerned who would buy it, but it seems like
the right people have made the right bid. We're looking forward to sitting down
with them and discussing how to take Blackbrook forward to where it should
be."
Head keeper Becky Downing said it was "brilliant
news" for Blackbrook, although there were still questions over whether all
the jobs were safe. Blackbrook opened in 1991 and is home to about 200 species
of birds as well as several other animals. Over the years it has also run
breeding programmes for some of the more endangered birds, including the
Darwin's Rhea.
The zoo had a guide price of £300,000-£350,000,
although administrators have not revealed the final sale price. Phil Wood, from
Barringtons Corporate Recovery, said the sale included all buildings and
enclosures on the 30-acre site, as well as animals owned by the zoo.
About 90% of the animals, however, are owned by
third parties and some of them, including the greater flamingos, were removed
when the zoo entered administration. Mr Wood suggested the various owners may
offer to house them at Blackbrook long term, once they were aware of who had
bought it.
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