Doncaster's Yorkshire Wildlife Park set to double in size after £15m investment

Investment firm BGF has put in the cash to help the Branton-based park achieve its long-term goal of welcoming 1.5 million visitors a year.

Alongside BGF, Lloyds Bank has also committed an £18m debt facility which, together with BGF’s investment, will support the expansion of YWP’s existing park with the aim of doubling its size.

More than 4,000 sign petition calling for St Leger to be stopped over Covid fears

It aims to increase the annual visitor numbers from 750,000 to 1.5 million.

A spokesman said: "At the new entrance to the park, there will also be a new and free to enter boutique leisure destination, expected to attract its own local audience as well as providing unique facilities for the day visitors to the Wildlife Park".

"Over the bank holiday weekend, the Park welcomed visitors to new attractions, such as the Himalayan Pass and Experience Ethiopia, which opened last month. People can now view hyenas, red pandas, and smooth-coated otters at the attraction."

The spokesman added: " Despite the well-documented challenges facing the business and wider sector, BGF has supported the park and enabled the expansion development to continue."

Nine amazing facts about Doncaster that you probably never knew

Set up in 2008 by founder directors Steve Minion, John Minion, Cheryl Williams and Neville Williams, the Doncaster-based Yorkshire Wildlife Park is home to more than 450 animals.

The statement added: "With a staff of 300, the park has made a significant contribution to the local economy over the last 11 years and in 2019 hosted educational visits of more than 88,000 school children with more than 33,000 of those learners benefiting from its award-winning education programmes taught by the Education Team.

Barry Jackson, investor at BGF, commented: “Over the last eleven years, YWP has earned an international reputation for conservation, animal welfare and high-quality visitor experiences.

"John and the team have an ambitious and clear strategy for growth, and we’re delighted to be supporting the business as it expands its facilities to be able to rescue more animals and allow more visitors to be educated and inspired by its conservation efforts.”