I think this will look great BUT it might be worth having a few chairs around that can be used if needed because not everyone can easily use the benches. Several of the eating areas in a local food court have benches and tables - like you found, chairs are noisy, they don't get pushed away under the table etc - but they also found that elderly people or people with mobility issues couldn't easily fit in to them [it isn't always easy to bend yourself under a fixed table or to push yourself along a bench seat if you don't have much movement or strength in your arms/legs] so they now have chairs as well which can be used by people unable to easily use the benches, which has turned out to be a surprising amount. I can't for example, I'm arthritic and sitting down in a confined area then sliding along a bench isn't something I can always manage to do while a chair which I can move - with help - closer to or further away from the table means I can join in a meal. You might have thought of this but if you haven't it is worth just having some of the chairs still in case people can't easily use the benches.
I understand what you mean, we’ve got some single seater booths planned as well as open sided booths to allow for wheelchairs too. We’ll know more once we start placing them! Thanks for your input! 🙏🏻
Happy New Year to all the team. Wow, you all work so hard (not to mention all the skills and talents you have between you!) and you've certainly set some ambitious goals this time. I hope everything goes well. Looking forward to seeing the changes.
Happy New Year Maxine and all the gang! The cafe renovation sounds great especially if it reduces the decibel level at peak times. Also looking forward to seeing what plans you have for Karli and Nieva's enclosure. Will be eagerly awaiting your reopening 😊
HI Maxine, What a huge job you have given yourselves at the Zoo. It all sounds good to me with the changes in the cafe area. Fixed booths are definitely the way to go. Particularly like the idea of no screechy chairs. Good luck with the project and Happy New Year to you and all of the hard working staff at the zoo.
Sounds nice! Please remember when you do the booths that some of us are a tad chubby!! I’ve been to fixed booths in some places and haven’t been able to get in the booth coz the gap between the table was so narrow. It’s hideously embarrassing!!! 🥺 Excited for the snow leopard revamp! Will the munchkin windows finally cater for those of us over 4’11”??? 😂👍🏻
I think this will look great BUT it might be worth having a few chairs around that can be used if needed because not everyone can easily use the benches. Several of the eating areas in a local food court have benches and tables - like you found, chairs are noisy, they don't get pushed away under the table etc - but they also found that elderly people or people with mobility issues couldn't easily fit in to them [it isn't always easy to bend yourself under a fixed table or to push yourself along a bench seat if you don't have much movement or strength in your arms/legs] so they now have chairs as well which can be used by people unable to easily use the benches, which has turned out to be a surprising amount. I can't for example, I'm arthritic and sitting down in a confined area then sliding along a bench isn't something I can always manage to do while a chair which I can move - with help - closer to or further away from the table means I can join in a meal. You might have thought of this but if you haven't it is worth just having some of the chairs still in case people can't easily use the benches.
I understand what you mean, we’ve got some single seater booths planned as well as open sided booths to allow for wheelchairs too. We’ll know more once we start placing them! Thanks for your input! 🙏🏻
Happy New Year! Thank you for the update and I hope to be back in the Easter school holidays with the grandchildren.
Happy New Year to all the team. Wow, you all work so hard (not to mention all the skills and talents you have between you!) and you've certainly set some ambitious goals this time. I hope everything goes well. Looking forward to seeing the changes.
Maybe people are even more difficult than the animals to cater for 😊😊
that is so cool and cant see what it going looking like and never been that before
Happy New Year to everyone at the zoo. Really looking forward to seeing the changes when you reopen ❤
Exciting times! Happy New Year to you all 🎉
Happy new year everybody
Looking forward to my next visit...................... Happy and a very prosperous 2025 v
Happy new year can't wait to see the changes
Happy New Year Maxine and all the gang! The cafe renovation sounds great especially if it reduces the decibel level at peak times.
Also looking forward to seeing what plans you have for Karli and Nieva's enclosure.
Will be eagerly awaiting your reopening 😊
It’ll fly by, we’ve got so much to do! 🤯
How exciting! happy new year everyone and I wish this zoo a good year
HI Maxine,
What a huge job you have given yourselves at the Zoo.
It all sounds good to me with the changes in the cafe area. Fixed booths are definitely the way to go. Particularly like the idea of no screechy chairs.
Good luck with the project and Happy New Year to you and all of the hard working staff at the zoo.
Thank you, I can’t wait. 🙏🏻
Happy new year. Good luck with the renovation.
Nice hat! It looks warm.
It’s super warm! Thank you, we’ve got so much to do! 🤯
Happy New year Maxine love your hat
Thanks! 🙏🏻
Sounds nice! Please remember when you do the booths that some of us are a tad chubby!! I’ve been to fixed booths in some places and haven’t been able to get in the booth coz the gap between the table was so narrow. It’s hideously embarrassing!!! 🥺
Excited for the snow leopard revamp! Will the munchkin windows finally cater for those of us over 4’11”??? 😂👍🏻
Don’t worry, we hope the booths will be just right! The snow leopard windows will be gone! 😱 🫣 no more munchkin windows. 🎉
@ tremendous!!!! Happy New Year to you and all your staff and animal residents!!
🖤✨🐹🐷🐒🦇🦉🐝🐑🦙🦜🦝🐿️
Cool, we will visit as soon as you reopen. Any red squirrel and/or crayfish news by the way?
Red Squirrels are settling in and the crayfish are all still doing well - I’ll pop an update up soon! Happy New Year! 🎉
@@NorthumberlandZoo fabulous!!
You described fixed seating and booths (which sounds very nice for many people) but what arrangements are there going to be for wheelchair users?
We’ll have some open-sided booths where wheelchairs will be able to access the seating too! 🙏🏻
Cool project. What you doing with all the chairs tables etc. That your ripping out? Thanks
We need to find new homes for them so we’ll probably get them listed next week! Get in touch if you are interested in anything! 🙏🏻