Smith presses First Minister to support Edinburgh Zoo

29/10/07

Margaret Smith MSP has tabled a Parliamentary Question and written to the First Minister asking him to consider direct financial support for Edinburgh Zoo. The Zoo faces a £20m budget shortfall for their modernisation plans and the Edinburgh West MSP has been campaigning for over a year for Scottish Government assistance for the facility.

Commenting, Ms Smith said: “Clearly it would be a real shame if the Zoo was unable to go ahead with its plans for improvements as a result of funding difficulties, or if they were forced to consider leaving their current location altogether. The Zoo is a great asset to the area as one of Edinburgh’s top visitor attractions and also provides a number of invaluable services beyond tourism.

“I feel it is an anomaly that the Zoo does not receive direct financial assistance from the Scottish Government in the manner of other attractions in the capital such as the Botanic Gardens. Along with local MP John Barrett I have raised this issue with the First Minister and I hope that he will recognise the importance of the Zoo to the city and to Scotland as a whole and consider correcting the anomaly.”