Leeds’ Tropical World to reopen after undergoing refurbishment

One of the most popular family tourists attractions in Yorkshire will be reopening to the public next week after undergoing an extensive refurbishment.

From 1pm on Tuesday 24 March, the newly improved Arnold and Marjorie Ziff Tropical World in Roundhay will open its doors to eager visitors who will be able to enjoy the venue’s large collection of wildlife including butterflies, birds, fish, reptiles, meerkats, nocturnal monkeys, bats and even bearded dragons.

The Leeds-based tourist destination will also become the home of several new animals following the refurbishment including an octopus, seahorses, stingray, dart frogs, Asian Tigerfish and a red bellied piranha.

Other new facilities opening for the first time next week include the addition of an aquarium, a new toilet block with changing facilities, rainforest themed mosaics, environmentally friendly electrical and heating improvements, path works and a conservatory extension to the café that overlooks the Canal Gardens.

This is just one of several renovations the venue has undergone in just over a year, with the first coming in January 2014 when Tropical World closed its doors for almost one month due to electrical and refurbishment work.

Once reopened, these improvements will help Tropical World continue to attract an estimated 300,000 visitors each year, which makes it one of the most popular paid tourist attractions in the whole of the county.

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.”