When do you think tourist attractions will reopen?

[catsears1]

Such as theme parks, castles, museums, zoos, heritage railways, National Trust properties etc etc

The rumoured guidelines mention everything but places like this. Would they fall into the pub and restaurants category or be even later than those?

when I was at Legoland a couple of years ago I was elbow-to-elbow with other people for the entire day and it wasn't even a particularly busy day. they would have to run at about 25% of their usual customer numbers to make distancing feasible and I doubt that is sustainable for them economically.

national trust properties and museums could probably reopen sooner with strict limits on numbers as they aren't usually massively crowded (maybe more difficult for the larger and more popular ones)

I think it depends what they are. A national trust type place could limit the numbers allowed into any indoor areas and have the outside open, and they might not put on any events that draw a crowd (for example Warwick castle does live displays I think). Zoos are quite spread out and could do the same (fewer people in inside bits and no displays). A theme park is harder as even if you reduced the numbers you'd have loads of people sitting on the rides, touching the seat/safety bars/handles etc throughout the day, potentially sitting next to strangers, and the queues weave round in a way that's hard to socially distance.

Soon I hope or we will be out of business.

I am not sure, but I have had ideas in my head that the zookeepers at chessington are going on all the rides and having a whale of a time. Maybe taking a penguin depending on the ride.

I think lockdown is getting to me

June but with reduced capacity as they have to try and social distance.

Doesn't matter, nobody is going to be able to afford to go..

Zpps are already announcing they intend to open ASAP to recoup their losses.

@BillywilliamV I think quite the opposite, lots of people have had holidays plans cancelled and so will have money from this and more inclination to travel within the U.K.

My friend who works at a museum thinks January for museums. He doesn’t know though.

I think we will ditch the 2m advice soon, so that will make it easier for the attractions to re-open. The population of the UK is too dense to maintain the 2m distance once restrictions are eased. You can't have it both ways with our population density.

I think outdoor things like zoos may open sooner than people think, if they can operate under reduced numbers and keep eating areas outside. Other things may take longer.

I disagree that people won’t have money to spend. Some people won’t but lots will have a LOT of money to spend - lots of people in my circle (and we’re not a hugely wealthy bunch) have saved lots of money due to shops being shut and restaurants etc being closed. Lots of people haven’t been badly affected in the same way others have. And that’s a good thing - the economy will need that.

I think NT will open outdoor spaces first. They are waiting for Boris statement on Sunday.

They wanted to keep the outdoor parkland open for exercise but the masses made it unsafe for staff by behaving badly and put staff at risk so it will be slow to start and only a few places opening gradually. I’d imagine larger places will open first, but only outdoor spaces and no tearooms/toilets.

sobeyondthehills

This made me chuckle.

I know Chessington are looking to open the zoo side of things as soon as possible with strict numbers of visitors allowed on site and within the sea-life centre.

I am not sure, but I have had ideas in my head that the zookeepers at chessington are going on all the rides and having a whale of a time

Forgot to add what it was that made me chuckle.
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Next year

Not a chance of June!

Dreamland in Margate is not opening at all this summer. I suppose with social distancing it just doesn't make it financially viable. They've said they've already missed the vital Easter holidays which kickstarts the season.

Yes I was thinking that @happystory
For example, Bristol zoo, if you had to limit numbers in the zoo and then in individual inside areas, they'd lose money on amount of people allowed in and then have enough staff in to man all of the inside areas (plus the upkeep of the park!) I guess places will have to weigh it all up.

Outdoors like NT and zoos maybe July. I can’t see theme parks being open this year.

Doesn't matter, nobody is going to be able to afford to go.. lots of people are still working and have money to spend. I have quiet a few friends who are doing well with overtime at the moment.

I read an article about how London Zoo will be in severe financial difficulty soon, as it's profits go straight to conservation. Staff are still working, animals still need feeding.

Yep, whilst the economy is in a bad way and lots of people are in financial difficulties, a lot of people are in good positions (public sectors still getting paid etc...) and are spending less at the moment.

I'm hoping national trust outdoor areas will reopen again very soon, possibly as soon as next week.

Zoos potentially fairly soon anyway. The majority of their staff costs will have had to continue to care for the animals, so they must be struggling quite badly. Not a lot of extra staff needed to allow people in. However places like Chester zoo have a large % of the exhibits indoors so may be too difficult for them. I expect most people will be desperate to get out. We've got plenty of money from cancelled holidays.

I was thinking about this!

For NT they would have to limit the numbers and mostly outside.

They should prioritise members but then their income drops so that's tricky. Plus the cafes and the shops are the money makers.

I think probably end of July.

Out side attraction could open, with limited numbers, but back to people showing membership cards or paying not a free for all. Houses could open with limited numbers I expect many volunteers would like to work again

I should think the powers that be are keen to get the second wave going now all the dreadful panic of a ventilator shortage is over, so on this basis they should be good to go by the end of the month.