AIBU to be miffed about Chester Zoo?

Rather than offering huge discounts for one group, the zoo could make it cheaper for all customers in the quieter months. As a previous poster suggested, that would be fairer to all.

Rather than offering huge discounts for one group, the zoo could make it cheaper for all customers in the quieter months. As a previous poster suggested, that would be fairer to all.

You’ve got a point OP. Complain! And while you’re at it, complain to the food bank too, because it’s totally unfair that some people get free food while the rest of us have to pay for it.

And as for those Christmas shoeboxes they send abroad - I’m putting in a request for some of those. One again British working families are overlooked and I don’t see why my children should miss out on free gifts!

Might pop down the dog shelter and have a word with them too. Those dogs don’t work a day in their lives and get bed, board and biscuits all day every day! Bloody scroungers.

How can you prove you are on the bones of your arse though? Someone on a good wage could be broke depending on their outgoings.
Being on benefits is easy to prove.

Yes. As a member of the ‘squeezed middle’ as mentioned above, it’s yet another kick in the teeth. Don’t worry though, I’ll still be working for those two weeks whilst all those poor benefits claimants have a jolly 👍🏻

You've cancelled your membership because of a two week charity scheme?

Membership cancelled on the back of this. We kept our membership going through Covid in order to support the zoo but this has really angered me. Yet again the true workers are shafted.

If you've not experienced it, and I suspect a lots of posters haven't, it's hard to believe it happens.

Yes it is hard to believe it happens remotely as much as people on these threads would like folks to believe

Especially for those of us who have lived, and worked, in impoverished areas and don't see half the bullshit claimed by some on here.

A single parent with a disabled child will receive £400 per month on UC once the child turns 18. If they are classified as a carer then they will get a carers element of £200 however their Carers Allowance of £83 will be deducted pound for pound. That will leave them with less than £300 per month. If they rent they will have a housing element which will rarely cover the full rent. The part of the rent which is not covered will be paid out of the £300 they have left.

If the child is so disabled that the parent cannot work this is what they will have to live on whilst caring for their now adult child who will probably need more care once they leave school.

But sure, it's a lifestyle choice and you would grudge them the odd trip to the zoo.

Yes they may have been relatively comfortable while the child was under 18 but that changes dramatically once the child reaches 18. Any benefits the child gets may have to be put towards any social care package they receive and the government are now cutting the "disability" element of UC by 50% from next April and are considering abolishing it completely for those under 23.

Living the high life on benefits indeed.😡

That's not what op is saying though. It's about wishing schemes like this would recognise that people can be absolutely on the bones of their arse but not entitled to any benefits.

Just pretend to be depressed and suffering anxiety and panic attacks which mean you can't leave your house and therefore can't work. That's what my neighbour has been doing for the last 3 years

If you've not experienced it, and I suspect a lots of posters haven't, it's hard to believe it happens.

Yes it is hard to believe it happens remotely as much as people on these threads would like folks to believe

Especially for those of us who have lived, and worked, in impoverished areas and don't see half the bullshit claimed by some on here.

I get it OP, why not make it £5 per ticket which is still extremely affordable for a day out. especially as toddlers are £2.50 anyway - and then make it a bit cheaper for everyone else as well.

Attractions like this are too expensive for a lot of people, not just those on benefits.

You don't really get in anywhere for £1 if you just get DLA without the carer's element of UC (like us). I do tend to use the theatre discount because my disabled child loves theatre but can't always manage the whole way through and I would be really annoyed to have paid loads for it if we have to leave after 15 minutes.

A trip like the zoo or the theme park is not a exactly a weekly thing for most families is it? It's a special treat. Our salaries are fine but that's still a once or twice a year thing to a really big attraction like that (we don't go to theme parks anyway but in that ballpark).

I do think it's a very ugly trait to be jealous of other people 'getting' more than you. You should want to lift everyone up, not make others have a shitter time to make you feel better.

I know, and the people who go for a quid will spend. Probably a lot more than I would.

I work, and have friends who work, in an impoverished area. There are families who are in poverty. However, the money spent by some families on things like takeaways and treats is sometimes quite unbelievable; the child who has 4 doughnuts or a large bag of sweets after school every day, the family who go for a coffee and hot snack on their way home every day. If you've not experienced it, and I suspect a lots of posters haven't, it's hard to believe it happens.

I'm not saying anyone should begrudge those kids, I said it's good some are benefitting. The issue is there are plenty of families that don't qualify but can't begin to afford those experiences for their children. Some of them will be attending food banks due to the increased cost of living. All children deserve experiences and happiness but some of the frustration on this thread will be coming from an inability to provide things like that for your children all while struggling to feed them, keep a roof over their heads while being told it's ok for you, you don't qualify for benefits, you must be able to afford everything comfortably

I get it OP, why not make it £5 per ticket which is still extremely affordable for a day out. especially as toddlers are £2.50 anyway - and then make it a bit cheaper for everyone else as well.

Attractions like this are too expensive for a lot of people, not just those on benefits.

That doesn't work with the charity schemes though. The zoo will be making money either from a donation from the scheme involved, or from some sort of tax break, or similar. There will be a set criteria for them to work with to benefit from it.

Let's be brutal here - Chester Zoo are not doing this kind of thing out the goodness of their hearts because they care about disabled or people who are financially struggling. They're doing it because it gets people through the doors at a quiet time of year and people who are only going as a one off special thing will spend a bit of money when they are there - even just a few quid on a drink - that CZ wouldn't normally see.

Lowering the cost wouldn't work for them in the same way, and ultimately they'll be doing what makes them the most rather than thinking of the customers.