10:10 Lighter Later

In the middle of another successful run of Zoo Lates, ZSL London Zoo adds its voice to the growing chorus in the city calling for a change to the way we set our clocks.

ZSL London Zoo’s Zoo Lates is a great excuse to get out there and enjoy the long balmy summer evenings. However, in winter ZSL London Zoo closes as early as 4pm. Their opening hours, along with those of many other major attractions across the country, are dictated by the clocks. Today, on the longest day of the year, the sun will rise at 4.43am in London, a time when the large majority of us are asleep. Come 9.30pm, when the sun goes down, the large majority will be awake, using electricity to artificially light the remainder of the evening.

That’s why ZSL London Zoo are thrilled to join over 37,000 individuals, and organisations ranging from the FA to SAGA and Greenpeace, in supporting our campaign.

 “As London’s best tourism experience we want to keep our doors open for as long as possible so that people can make the most of what we have on offer.

Events like Zoo Lates give us the opportunity to welcome new audiences to the Zoo but attractions like ours are limited by daylight hours. By moving the clocks forward an hour it would give everyone more time to enjoy the Zoo and give us the opportunity to host more brilliant events like these.”

ZSL Director General Ralph Armond

We know that the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson is a big fan of the call for lighter nights, and on summer solstice he had this to say

“It’s crazy that a great city and mega tourist magnet like London is so out of step with the rest of Europe. Aligning our clocks would greatly improve the quality of life for Londoners wasting less daylight while they are sleeping and giving them more time for leisure and play when the working day is over. It would also provide a major boost to the tourism industry giving greater flexibility for events and attractions to run later into the evening when more people can enjoy them, be they Londoners or visitors.”

Well if it’s good enough for Boris…!

To celebrate London zoo joining the call for an end to daylight robbery we’re giving away a pair of VIP tickets to the Zoo Lates event on 22 July.  For a chance to meet the latest members of the Lighter Later coalition in all their swimming, swinging, slithering glory just let us know what your perfect longest-day-of-the-year would involve – the best answer wins! Email amy@lighterlater.org to enter.

Good luck!