Twycross Zoo near Atherstone, Warwickshire, will open a new £7m visitor centre called Himalaya next month (February 2010).

The attraction, designed and built by Kier Marriott, will look out onto a the snow leopard enclosure and will include a new retail space, a function room for conferences and a new 300 seat restaurant.

Also acting as a Tourist Information Centre, Himalaya will have a particular focus on promoting the National Forest and supporting local tourism and other businesses.

The zoo has commissioned Somerset-based Abeo Consulting to manage the development of the visitor centre. Suzanne Boardman, the zoo's CEO, hopes that the centre will attract "thousands of visitors" each year.

"Tourism is a big part of our economy and with the recession more UK residents are set to holiday at home in 2010," Boardman said.

"Himalaya will bring a whole new experience to both visitors and boost employee morale and motivation at Twycross Zoo, which is critical in creating a unique and memorable customer experience. This new centre has been planned to differ Twycross from other zoo's and also to help serve local businesses as well as customers."