Inside abandoned zoo with empty cages that use to be home to monkeys and birds

31 May 2023 , 13:48

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The final day of the Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes just before it closed on October 2, 2022 (Image: GrimsbyLive/Donna Clifford)

Eerie photos show the inside of an abandoned zoo - complete with toys still left on the shop shelves and the enclosures laying empty.

The former Jungle Zoo, at Kings Road Boating Lake, Cleethorpes, was visited by generations of families over decades.

But it has now been put on the market, after spiralling costs forced it to close, it has been reported.

The former zoo is being offered for let by PPH Commercial, as the agents say that the site does not have to primarily be turned back into a wildlife park as it suits "a variety of uses".

What's left inside Cleethorpes' lost Jungle Zoo after its sad closure (pph-commercial.co.uk)

The site extends to a whopping 5,219sq ft and is described as being in a prominent, popular location adjacent to the resort’s boating lake and opposite a Retail Park, GrimsbyLive reports.

Furious chimp launches bottle at girl filming him leaving her bleeding at zoo

However, no rental terms have been detailed - only that the land is "to let by negotiation".

PPH said: “The property comprises a rectangular shaped site, contained upon which is a main building being of steel frame construction with polycarbonate sheet panels to the walls and pitched roof above, although there are also numerous glass and timber wall panels.

"The remaining building structures are of mixed construction and have previously been used as a zoo/tropical house visitor attraction. The property would readily adapt to a variety of alternative uses, subject to consent.”

The zoo loved by generations of families shut its doors last autumn (pph-commercial.co.uk)

The property is said to be available by way of a new lease, the terms by negotiation. The tenant will be responsible for all repairs and decorations to the “demised premises” and also for the payment of business rates.

The agent said: “The rateable value is below the Government threshold of £12,000 for small business rate relief and therefore a tenant may be able to claim 100 per cent exemption from business rates providing that they are not already paying business rates or claiming such an exemption elsewhere.”

The former Jungle Zoo, at Kings Road Boating Lake, Cleethorpes, has now been put on the market (pph-commercial.co.uk)

Last year, visitors to Jungle Zoo lamented its closure, some saying they had been regulars at the attraction for around 40 years.

They shared their sadness on social media when the zoo posted that its last day would be October 2, 2022.

The final day of the Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes (GrimsbyLive/Donna Clifford)

The zoo said at the time: “We have seen an enormous rise in general running costs and, due to several factors, it has become clear the zoo is no longer able to carry on. As you can imagine it has taken a lot of thinking about, we are devastated but we simply have no choice.

"We have prided ourselves on being a friendly little zoo and we've made lifelong friends that have turned into our little 'zoo family' so from us. Thank you!"

Deborah Hall