£19.9 million bid succeeds to boost local economy
A TRANSFORMATIONAL BID for a multi-million pound major new Natural Science and Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo has been approved.
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council in partnership with Twycross Zoo bid for around £20million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund which is designed for long-term, major capital projects. The fund is available to develop both economic and transport projects designed to create jobs, encourage new investment and enable business growth.
The Natural Science and Conservation Centre is set to make a significant contribution to the midlands economy and particularly boost the £80 million that tourists already spend every year in the Hinckley and Bosworth area.
As well as attracting visitors to its new orangutan facility attraction, the centre will be able to host educational programmes and events for universities and schools alongside conference facilities. It is hoped that work may be able to start early 2022 and the centre could be in use by March 2024.
Council Leader Stuart Bray said:
This is fantastic news, this bid will enable Twycross Zoo to make a significant contribution to the Midlands economy. The education, cultural, and tourism sectors have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. These innovative plans will be a major boost to tourism and help establish the area as a focus for new jobs, research, and education.
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