Tropical World set to reopen after exciting refurbishment

Picture caption: Tropical World’s loveable Meerkats have proved to be a big hit with visitors.



One of Leeds and Yorkshire’s most popular visitor attractions is set to reopen its doors to the public next week following completion of an exciting refurbishment programme.



In what promises to be the perfect day out for all the family, visitors from 1pm on Tuesday 24 March, will be able to take a walk around and enjoy the delights of the new and improved Arnold and Marjorie Ziff Tropical World in Roundhay, which is home to a wide range of animals from butterflies, birds, fish, reptiles, meerkats and nocturnal monkeys to bearded dragons and bats. A number of new animals will also be joining the ranks at Tropical World following the refurbishment including an octopus, seahorses, stingray, dart frogs, Asian Tigerfish and a red bellied piranha.



Featuring in the improvements includes a fantastic new aquarium, a new toilet block with changing facilities, rainforest themed mosaics, environmentally friendly electrical and heating improvements, path works and a new conservatory extension to the café overlooking the beautiful Canal Gardens. Last year a children’s party and education zone was created and the entrance to Tropical World given a revamp as part of the overall refurbishment programme funded by the council and a very generous donation from the Ziff family, who continue to be great supporters of the venue and a vast number of other projects in Leeds.



In 2013, 390,000 people visited Tropical World, making it the Yorkshire and Humber’s third most popular paid attraction.



Councillor Mark Dobson, Leeds City Council’s executive member for cleaner, safer and stronger communities said:



"A tremendous amount of hard work and dedication has been undertaken as part of a wide-ranging refurbishment programme of the Arnold and Marjorie Ziff Tropical World, and we can’t wait to reopen our doors to the public on the 24 March.



"Tropical World is a truly magical venue that people of all ages can enjoy, and it is exciting that a host of new animals including seahorses, octopuses and piranhas will be making their home at the attraction, which will now also boast a stunning, Aztec-themed aquarium. This sits aside the construction of a new café conservatory and toilet block, and the refurbishment of the shop and party area, which will make the visitor experience to Tropical World even better in the future.



"I would also like to offer a massive thank you on behalf of the council to the Ziff family, whose generous funding towards the refurbishment programme has made this long-term ambition of ours a reality."



Notes to editors:



For more information regarding Tropical World please access on the web: www.leeds.gov.uk/tropicalworld; Twitter: www.twitter.com/tropworldleeds or Facebook: www.facebook.com/tropicalworldleeds



Entrance prices at Tropical World are as follows:



Adults: £5.00

LeedsCard: £3.00

‘Extra’ cardholders: £2.00

Breezecard holders: £2.00

5 to 15 year olds: £2.50

Under 5s: Free



For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk