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Original poster

AIBU to be miffed about Chester Zoo?

609 replies

Stillinshock123 · 17/12/2025 18:13

I need a space to rant but then I welcome feedback and general common-sense.

Chester zoo have posted about £1 deal for those on benefits such as UC, DLA and PIP.

Now, I understand that for some this may be the only opportunity to attend the Zoo given their already ridiculously high prices.

However AIBU to be upset that yet again working families (full time not claiming parts of UC) don’t seem to benefit from much?

We attend the zoo only once a year because of how expensive it is.. so that’s a luxury. So no thanks, no support or discounts.

I emailed them about this, and they replied saying that it’s part of a charity scheme to give back to families who otherwise can’t afford it. But then.. why shouldn’t it be first come first serve?

OP posts:
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BustopherPonsonbyJones · 18/12/2025 07:47

DysmalRadius · 17/12/2025 23:49

Not by taking something away from the disabled person who may well have significantly higher costs for everything from laundry to clothing and food. Those with limited mobility often have extortionate heating bills etc - it's not just a cheap day at the zoo.

In your example, the 'squeezed middle' could save half their disposable income a month for two months and have £50 to spend in each month.

The person on DLA would have to save half their disposable income for seven months to pay full price and would have had just £15 a month to spend for each of those months. Is that the kind of fairness you're suggesting?

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But this is just one example of a discount received by those on benefits. At some point we have to be realistic and state that the people who are really struggling right now are those whose families earn just enough not to qualify for universal credit and who receive no help, either from the state or other businesses. They are the ones who don’t get treats as their parents are concentrating on providing basics. Those above them still have enough spare cash and those below them (salary wise) are given lots of support. Yes, there has to be a line but right now, it’s the lower middle income families who are struggling the most. You might not see that if your wages are higher and you might not appreciate what you get if your wages are lower and topped up by the state, with extra discounts thrown in.

I don’t want to take things away from those who receive help but I am surprised you can’t sympathise with how many families will be feeling right now. It is an issue that needs addressing as sneering at those feeling aggrieved will only make resentment worse.

Fends · 18/12/2025 07:25

ClockGoesBack · 18/12/2025 05:58

I can’t quite decide what’s worse - your math’s skills or your grammar

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Math’s?

Coffeeandbooks88 · 18/12/2025 07:22

Lauren1983 · 17/12/2025 23:58

Not true.

If you own your home you get no help with the housing costs but if you rent you do. Two families with the exact same circumstances (salary, children etc) will not get the same if one is renting and one has a mortgage. Obviously the home owner will be better off eventually but it means people can feel resentment at schemes like this.

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You do get a higher work allowance and get to keep more of your wage but I do think you should get help for mortgage if on a very low income.

aparty · 18/12/2025 07:06

Patridgeinanoaktree · 18/12/2025 06:17

What incentive does it give to children to grow up and achieve if you can have qhat you like without a good job?

How is one day out at the zoo the same as having "what you like"?

Original poster
Stillinshock123 · 18/12/2025 06:25

bleakmidwintering · 18/12/2025 03:40

Do you actually want to post the link op because I’ve looked through the site and can’t see a damn thing about tickets being £1 for people on PIP, UC etc?

https://tickets.chesterzoo.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=uct&c=uct&_gl=11oapc28_gcl_au*MTc5MTE4MDAwLjE3NjYwMzkwNzg. X

OP posts:
Patridgeinanoaktree · 18/12/2025 06:17

What incentive does it give to children to grow up and achieve if you can have qhat you like without a good job?

ClockGoesBack · 18/12/2025 05:58

Boohooooos · 18/12/2025 01:20

Your reading way to much in to it.

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I can’t quite decide what’s worse - your math’s skills or your grammar

bleakmidwintering · 18/12/2025 03:40

Do you actually want to post the link op because I’ve looked through the site and can’t see a damn thing about tickets being £1 for people on PIP, UC etc?

bleakmidwintering · 18/12/2025 03:35

Oh good. I will let my daughter know

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:46

Kimura · 18/12/2025 01:43

I’m on pip. I work full time and I’m not “too lazy to work” or in “genuine hardship”.

Cool?

Many UC claimants also work.

Yes, I am aware.

Did you expect me to write out an exhaustive list of all the reasons a family could possibly be in need of these tickets? Or just pick two very obvious and contrasting ones to quickly illustrate a point?

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No I just quoted your post and made a comment on it.

Kimura · 18/12/2025 01:43

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:30

I’m on pip. I work full time and I’m not “too lazy to work” or in “genuine hardship”.

Many UC claimants also work.

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I’m on pip. I work full time and I’m not “too lazy to work” or in “genuine hardship”.

Cool?

Many UC claimants also work.

Yes, I am aware.

Did you expect me to write out an exhaustive list of all the reasons a family could possibly be in need of these tickets? Or just pick two very obvious and contrasting ones to quickly illustrate a point?

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:39

You just did it again. Please stop quoting me. Thank you.

Boohooooos · 18/12/2025 01:38

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:38

Stop quoting me then please. Thank you.

Agreed.

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:38

Stop quoting me then please. Thank you.

Boohooooos · 18/12/2025 01:37

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:36

I’m not your friend. This is very weird and you’re creeping me out.

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Stop quoting me then your making it weird.

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:36

Boohooooos · 18/12/2025 01:33

Yeah your right, my humor is to much and im fabulous, the one to turn a negetive in to positive act stupid just to make a friend smile.
Then again friend as the word end in it we gave it a go lol.

It was a figure of speech honestly let go.

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I’m not your friend. This is very weird and you’re creeping me out.

Boohooooos · 18/12/2025 01:33

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:29

Why would I want to be your friend? It’s an anonymous thread on the internet.

You made up a figure. Why?

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Yeah your right, my humor is to much and im fabulous, the one to turn a negetive in to positive act stupid just to make a friend smile.
Then again friend as the word end in it we gave it a go lol.

It was a figure of speech honestly let go.

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:30

Kimura · 18/12/2025 01:26

I never understand with things like this why people's first thoughts are often of the parents getting a freebie for their family while others have to work for it.

I look at it from the point of view of the kids. Whether their parents are in genuine hardship or whether they're too lazy to work, that's not the children's fault and it's the children that are missing out on these experiences.

Being 'miffed' that one of the UKs most beloved attractions is trying to help disadvantaged kids is very odd.

Edited

I’m on pip. I work full time and I’m not “too lazy to work” or in “genuine hardship”.

Many UC claimants also work.

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:29

Boohooooos · 18/12/2025 01:27

We could be friends just ask, your the only one that keeps coming back for more.
I feel popular.

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Why would I want to be your friend? It’s an anonymous thread on the internet.

You made up a figure. Why?

elliejjtiny · 18/12/2025 01:28

So many people are indignant about severely disabled children getting something for free/cheap. But you never hear pregnant women saying they hope their baby will be severely disabled so they can get a cheap day out at Chester zoo in December when it's freezing cold and wet.

Boohooooos · 18/12/2025 01:27

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:25

You made a figure of 8 out of 10 people claiming pip for “SEN and whatnot”.

I have added nothing. You made up a figure why?

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We could be friends just ask, your the only one that keeps coming back for more.
I feel popular.

Kimura · 18/12/2025 01:26

I never understand with things like this why people's first thoughts are often of the parents getting a freebie for their family while others have to work for it.

I look at it from the point of view of the kids. Whether their parents are in genuine hardship or whether they're too lazy to work, that's not the children's fault and it's the children that are missing out on these experiences.

Being 'miffed' that one of the UKs most beloved attractions is trying to help disadvantaged kids is very odd.

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:25

Boohooooos · 18/12/2025 01:23

Your adding that.
I said figure of speech.

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You made a figure of 8 out of 10 people claiming pip for “SEN and whatnot”.

I have added nothing. You made up a figure why?

Boohooooos · 18/12/2025 01:23

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:21

How am I? You made up a figure why?

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Your adding that.
I said figure of speech.

Condensationon · 18/12/2025 01:21

Boohooooos · 18/12/2025 01:20

Your reading way to much in to it.

Show quote history

How am I? You made up a figure why?

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