Hertfordshire Zoo
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £224,627 for the year ended 31 December 2024, resulting in total funds decreasing to £9,245,183. The trustees maintain a reserves policy target of six months' expenditure, estimated at £4,000,000, which is comfortably exceeded by the current unrestricted reserves. The directors confirmed that the charity has sufficient resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was as follows: 2024 2” — page 20
“The charity aims to retain reserves in order to meet its financial obligations and to establish cash reserves equivalent to at least six months expenditure estimated to be £4,000,000.” — page 5
“In the period the charity paid rent and other costs from Parkside Leisure Ltd amounting to £1,251,111 (2023-£1,003,744).The charity invoiced £825 to Parkside Leisure Ltd. The amount due to the charity at the year end was £76,953 (2023 -£nil). During the year the charity invoiced rent and other charges to Paradise Wildlife Park Ltd amounting to £1,077,652 (2023-£1,002,425). The amount outstanding at the year end was £358,282 (2023£157,670). Costs recharged to the charity by Paradise Wildlife Park Ltd in the year amounted to £398,242 (2023£367,257) of which £19,462 (2023-£69,481) remained outstanding. The charity recharged a proportion of administrative salaries and other costs amounting to £19,756 (2023-£53,424) to The Big Cat Sanctuary Ltd (BCS).. This company is a registered charity in which L K Whitnall is a trustee.The amount due from BCS at the year end was £11,153 (2023-£16,396). The charity paid £18,000 (2023-£18,000) and £72,000 (2023-£72,000) to In The Players Lounge Limited and Legends & Icons Club Limited respectively for consultancy services provided by Stephen Sampson. Salaries and benefits totalling £158,798 (2023-£142,395) were paid to Messrs Aaron, Tyler & Cameron Whitnall during the year.” — page 26
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Trustees
- ZSH CORPORATE TRUSTEE 1 LIMITED
- ZSH CORPORATE TRUSTEE 2 LIMITED
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £8.7m | £8.9m |
| 31/12/2023 | £8.2m | £7.2m |
| 31/12/2022 | £7.5m | £6.1m |
| 31/12/2021 | £6.2m | £4.4m |
| 31/12/2020 | £5.3m | £4.2m |
Common questions
Is Hertfordshire Zoo financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £224,627 for the year ended 31 December 2024, resulting in total funds decreasing to £9,245,183. The trustees maintain a reserves policy target of six months' expenditure, estimated at £4,000,000, which is comfortably exceeded by the current unrestricted reserves. The directors confirmed that the charity has sufficient resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Brindley Millen Ltd.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST | 2 | £15k |
| THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £341k |
| ROYAL SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE TRUSTS | 1 | £271k |
| THE WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION | 1 | £104k |
| LORD LEVERHULME'S CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £100k |
| THE GEOFFREY WATLING CHARITY | 1 | £40k |
| THE RANWORTH TRUST 1985 | 1 | £15k |
| THE LESLIE MARY CARTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |