SLWAP has just announced that it has had its best attendance numbers ever!
Visitor numbers at South Lakes Animal Park, Dalton, swelled by 31,000 last year, to more than 300,000.
Owner David Gill saw turnover rise by 11 per cent, gift shop sales increase by 12 per cent and restaurant sales grow by nine per cent. One of the cleverest marketing ideas they came up with was to open for free during the winter months – thus increasing massively the visitor numbers. Once in the zoo visitors paid money in the restaurant, on souvenirs, and donations towards the upkeep.
THE PARK IS STILL FREE FOR CHILDREN UNTIL THE END OF MARCH!
As a result, the park’s team has grown by four more staff and directors have spent more than £200,000 on new developments and maintenance work.
Last September, Barrow Borough Council blocked plans for a £4m expansion to treble the size of the park.
Directors hope the plans will finally get the go-ahead when they are reviewed by a government inspectorate, which is expected to announce its decision in March.
For more information please visit www.wildanimalpark.co.uk
