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Park Profile
keeper talks and demonstrations and costume character appearances. One way systems are in place in the Jolly Barn and Vintage fairground to help with visitor flow in pinch point areas and there are a limited number of guests permitted to inside areas. “Staff are there with a warm Welsh welcome – albeit behind masks and screens currently – and will be seen wiping down rides between each use, spraying play equipment and topping up hand sanitiser!” Even once the restrictions are eased, Royston believes it will take a while for behaviours to change completely. “We’ve learnt a lot as an industry, some of the more positive things that have resulted from the pandemic will no doubt stay. We may see attractions sticking with the requirement to pre- book from an operational point of view, as it helps manage the peaks and troughs. We’ll certainly be keeping the paw print queue markers at our entrance as our younger visitors have really enjoyed them and it’s helped create that sense of anticipation on arrival!”
Progress and positivity
Overwhelming support from Folly Farm’s visitors purchasing animal adoptions during the lockdowns has been Royston’s highlight of the past 12 months, and has meant that the the team has been able to not only continue to care for its animals but also donate to its conservation partners, carrying out vital conservation projects in the wild.
Having postponed the opening of the first phase of a holiday park when the country first went into lockdown, Folly Farm decided to plough on and launch when restrictions lifted in early July 2020.
“We were fully booked in our quirky Showman’s Wagons and across our touring park and campsite from the point we opened until the season ended at the end of October, a trend which has happily continued since we reopened after the second lockdown at the end of March. It’s been incredible to have such amazing support for a new product and to see so many faces returning to stay with us again and again.”
Looking ahead, Folly Farm’s ongoing aim, according to Royston, is to exceed visitors’ expectations. “Visitors expect to see some sheep and goats, and they do, but they also get to go on a Carousel Horse, see giraffes and lions and play on life size pirate ships!”
Investment is key, he maintains. “Whether that be in a new animal enclosure, updating the facilities or investing in the team. Keeping loyal, returning visitors is a much more sustainable model than attracting new ones, and investing in the product, making sure the facilities are the best they can be and good customer service from a happy team is key to that.”
This year, winter work will mainly be focussed on the holiday park, with luxury fairground themed lodges with hot tubs arriving for Easter 2022, electric hook-up for the camping field and the development of a farm shop/café. “Although, I’m sure we’ll sneak some new developments in at the attraction as well,” concluded Royston. “There’s not a year goes by when we don’t do something!”
SUMMER PART 3 2021 51
Folly Farm is based on a busy tourist route to the popular holiday destination of Tenby in Wales.
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