How Down at the Farm is preparing to reopen after lockdown - this is what visitors can expect

A popular animal fun farm is preparing to welcome back visitors for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
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A raft of new safety precautions such as a one-way system have been introduced at Down at the Farm, near Houghton, to ensure customers can maintain social distancing from Monday, June 22.

Entry will be initially restricted to season pass holders only with two-hour slots needing to be booked and paid for online in advance.

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The farm, whose attractions include donkeys, alpacas, emus and meerkats, hopes to quickly allow non-season pass holders to make similar bookings.

Piglets with their mother at Down on the Farm.Piglets with their mother at Down on the Farm.
Piglets with their mother at Down on the Farm.

Owners William and Catherine Weightman say the business, which closed in March just as its peak season was about to begin, provides 90 per cent of their overall income.

Catherine, 46, added: “It is the main part of our business and feeds our family. It was so upsetting when we closed.

“Last year was a record year and we were looking forward to another fantastic year this time with visitor numbers and bookings up.”

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Seven staff were placed on furlough after the March 23 lockdown with an emergency government grant helping the couple keep the farm.

Alpacas at Down at the Farm, near Houghton, which reopens from June 22.Alpacas at Down at the Farm, near Houghton, which reopens from June 22.
Alpacas at Down at the Farm, near Houghton, which reopens from June 22.

The Weightmans are also grateful to Sunderland City Council for assisting their successful application for an amended zoo licence so that the site can reopen.

William, 46, said: “The council has been extremely supportive with guidance and if we did not get a grant from the government then we would not be talking to you here today.

“You would probably be talking to the bank.

“We opened the business because we did not really have a farm income.

Sanitisers have been placed around the farm.Sanitisers have been placed around the farm.
Sanitisers have been placed around the farm.
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“We had to diversify to survive and in 14 years things have gone well. It is our primary source of income.”

The Echo is informing our readers about businesses reopening as part of our #SupportLocal campaign to help revitalise the city’s economy.

What visitors can expect

Precautions at Down at the Farm from next Monday include a temporary limit on customers visiting the farm at any one time to 100, which compares to around 600 at full capacity, and hand sanitiser stations.

Catherine Weightman from Down at the farm. Picture by FRANK REIDCatherine Weightman from Down at the farm. Picture by FRANK REID
Catherine Weightman from Down at the farm. Picture by FRANK REID

Its cafe will operate a takeaway service although picnic tables cannot be used at this stage and numbers using the toilets at any one time are also initially restricted.

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One popular attraction will also sadly be absent from the farm next week.

He was chosen for his role – which involved plumping for one of three bowls of food marked “win”, “lose” and “draw” – because he was normally first out of the farm’s array of animals to sense when it was meal time.

The Maori pet pig, who died over winter aged 13, has left a legacy after a female pal gave birth to seven piglets – his first offspring – following his demise.

“He was certainly active until the end,” said Catherine.

Big Bob, Sunderland's very own psychic pig, incurs the frustration of owner William Weightman after correctly predicting England's World Cup football defeat to Belgium in 2018.Big Bob, Sunderland's very own psychic pig, incurs the frustration of owner William Weightman after correctly predicting England's World Cup football defeat to Belgium in 2018.
Big Bob, Sunderland's very own psychic pig, incurs the frustration of owner William Weightman after correctly predicting England's World Cup football defeat to Belgium in 2018.
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Bookings for Down at the Farm, which is just off the A690, in Stoneygate, near Houghton, can be made at www.downatthefarm.co.uk

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