Edinburgh Zoo face staff cuts

An Edinburgh tourist attraction is facing job cuts after decreasing visitor figures prove unsustainable to manage staff.

Edinburgh Zoo is currently in talks to make 50 of its 200 full-time staff redundant. Around 630,000 visitors were recorded to have visited the attraction last year but figures are expected to be much lower for 2010 and the future.

A zoo spokeswoman said: "The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is considering a proposed restructure of the organisation which is likely to result in a reduction of staff numbers during autumn 2010.  

"This is due to a downturn in visitors to Edinburgh Zoo in 2010 brought on by the poor economic climate and bad weather at critical times during the year." 

The decision to reduce their staffing numbers also raises concerns about the proposed plan to expand the Zoo, which is expected to cost £72m.

Earlier this year, Edinburgh Council confirmed the development of 80 homes to be built to the west of the Zoo. This was hoped to bring revenue to aid their plans to extend.

Emma Smith, a student at Edinburgh Napier University explained her views of the Zoo. She told The Journal: “The tickets are expensive and they have now added a 'discretionary' 10 per cent donation on top of the ticket price.

“I read the guest book last time and was shocked that most people had said it was the worst zoo they’d ever been to and that the big cats are clearly distressed and need more space.

“The penguins are still worth a visit though! I go every year but each time I go I find it a little more depressing as the animals look sad and are always out of sight.”

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, who own the Zoo, is reported to have asked to swap a council-owned plot for land on the north-east of the tourist spot.

They advised that this move would enable them to push their 20-year plan to modernise the attraction and bring in more visitors.