ELLESMERE PORT and Neston MP Justin Madders has renewed calls for Covid-hit attractions such as Chester Zoo and Blue Planet Aquarium to receive Government funding support.

As part of the England coronavirus lockdown, Chester Zoo and Blue Planet Aquarium have had to shut their doors to the public once more, putting them under renewed financial pressure.

Chester Zoo, in particular, has previously highlighted how costly the enforced closure is.

At the time the second lockdown was announced, it said: "The last lockdown left us with financial hole of £5.5m - a devastating blow for our wonderful charity and the crucial conservation work we do."

It added: "With no tailored funding from the government and having had no access to the £100m Zoo Animals Fund due its highly restrictive criteria, it’s again a worrying time for us, especially after the lengths we went to to make the zoo such a safe space."

The Government's Zoo Animals Fund has been criticised for its narrow criteria, as it is aimed at attractions facing imminent collapse and is not for conservation or education purposes.

That has led only £3 million of the £100 million to be distributed so far.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday (November 12), Mr Madders said: "Zoos and aquariums play an important role in the visitor economy.

"My constituency is fortunate not only to have the Blue Planet Aquarium but also part of Chester Zoo within it.

"Like everyone else, they have been struggling.

"We know the Government has set up a £100 million fund to support zoos and aquariums but the criteria on it are so restrictive.

"The deadline for applications for the scheme is Monday and at the moment it doesn't look like it's going to achieve the purpose it was set to do.

"Can we have a statement please, from the Secretary of State [for Environment George Eustice], in here on Monday, to tell us what he is going to do to make sure this scheme benefits zoos and aquariums as it was intended to do?"

Responding, Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg said: "A scheme was obviously set up to help zoos and aquariums and to ensure that they are given particular support during the pandemic.

"As with any scheme that's set up, if there are issues, it is quite right that they should be raised with Ministers and that Ministers should be held to account.

"If the Honourable gentleman has not been successful in doing that with the relevant Ministry, I will of course help facilitate a full answer to any questions he has."