Tourism VIPs praise DZG

DZG was praised by VisitEngland chairman Lady Cobham and CEO James Berresford yesterday as they viewed recent developments across the 40-acre site.

Lady Cobham and Mr Berresford were taken on a guided tour by CEO Peter Suddock and DZG trustees before travelling on the newly-refurbished chairlift – the only one of its kind in the country – back to the zoo’s recently-opened £200,000 offices.
 
 
The tour saw Lady Cobham take part in a bird of prey display in the courtyard of the 11th century Dudley Castle at the heart of the zoological gardens, feed Humboldt penguins in the newly-opened £40,000 Penguin Bay, and say hello to endangered tigers and giraffes.
 
 

Mr Berresford said: “We see DZG as a real example which other attractions across the country can follow. It is an excellent, top quality attraction which has improved vastly over recent years due to thoughtful investment and good management.”

 

Lady Cobham said: “Holding on to its historic buildings and structures, the zoo has still managed to improve the environment for its animals and visitors – it does this fantastically well, and its team are true ambassadors for tourism.”

 
 
Mr Suddock said: “We were delighted to welcome Lady Cobham and Mr Berresford to DZG which has undergone amazing transformation in recent months and to be able to offer them a glimpse of our major development plans for the future. 
 
“These are exciting times and we are pleased to be able to share them with VisitEngland.”
 

VIP TOUR INCLUDED . . .

• Tigers – a unique chance to see two highly endangered tigresses (Amur and Sumatran) at play in the site’s original Tecton enclosure

• Penguin Bay – a £40,000 walkthrough experience offering visitors a chance to get close to the site’s 70-strong group – the UK’s largest colony of parent reared rare Humboldt penguins

• Reptile House – opened last month by TV wildlife presenter Mike Dilger following a £15,000 refurbishment programme

• Chairlift – the country’s only vintage chairlift it was the first passenger-carrying aerial ropeway to be installed in England,and transports visitors from the zoo’s lower zone to the 11th century Dudley Castle on the upper level, within a two-minute journey, offering panoramic views across Sandwell to Birmingham, and travelling directly over flamingoes, primates and rare breed sheep grazing on the banks 

• Finance for the £117,000 refurbishment project was via a £1.2million bid for Heritage Lottery Funding, which will also see the restoration of four of the site’s 12 listed Modernist structures which form part of the world’s

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