With all the recent pandemonium, Chester Zoo staff had almost forgotten they had a birthday coming up.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo turned 89-years-old on Wednesday, but instead of ordering cake and party decorations, employees were busy frantically trying to find ways to keep the venue alive.
It was a birthday that almost didn’t happen. But now it’s one they won’t ever forget it.
June 10 will forever be the date Chester Zoo was saved by the skin of its teeth.
“Our birthday really crept up on us this year, because we were so busy thinking about whether we were going to survive,” Chester Zoo COO Jamie Christon tells The Manc.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We were worried it was going to be our last birthday ever.”
The UK’s biggest charity zoo had originally been instructed to remain closed “indefinitely” due to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving the zoo “fearing for their future.”
This led to the launch of the #SaveOurZoo appeal, which asked the public to help raise a whopping 1.6 million per month to maintain running costs.
This surge of support coincided with a dramatic government u-turn – and this week, Chester Zoo was given the green light to welcome back guests from 15 June.
“When social distancing eases, we’ll take the opportunity to celebrate,” Jamie says.
“Perhaps next year when it’s our 90th birthday.”
“We’re absolutely bowled over by the fact the government has changed its mind.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Up until earlier this week, the messages suggested it could be July, August, September or even October before we could reopen – which would have been catastrophic for us.”
But the hard work hasn’t stopped yet. There’s plenty more to do. And things will be a little different around the zoo to start with.
“For us, the main thing is controlling capacity and numbers coming into the zoo,” Jamie explains.
“Normally on a day like today we’d be welcoming about 10,000 people into the zoo. We’re going to scale the capacity right back to 3,000 to start with and guests will need to book online.
“There’ll be hand sanitiser stations around the zoo, over one hundred wash basins to keep hands clean, and a welcome team in place to make sure people are adhering to guidelines and protecting themselves, as well making sure they’re having a great day out.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The indoor exhibits will be closed, but there’ll still be more than 16km of footpath and beautiful gardens for people to walk around and see all the animals out in their respective habitats.”
Despite the limitations, Jamie emphasises the zoo is still ready to offer people a fantastic visitor experience.
“The priority for us is making sure our visitors, our staff and our animals are all safe,” he says.
“The gift shop at the front of the zoo will have to remain closed, but kiosks will be serving and we’ve got a large outdoor 400-seater restaurant which will be open too.
“People will still be able to buy food and drink or bring their own picnic in. We’ve opened some additional green space around the zoo to allow people to spread out and enjoy their lunch whilst they’re here.”
ADVERTISEMENT
However, with funds severely depleted after months of no income, Chester Zoo is still relying on support from anyone who can provide it.
“Even though we’re reopening, we’re only set to bring in a quarter of what we usually would around this time of year,” explains Jamie.
“So, there is a need for more fundraising.
“We’re asking people to donate, take out a membership at the zoo, adopt an animal; anything like that would really help us.
“To anyone who has already donated, our message is a massive ‘thank you’.
“We don’t get funding normally, so we’ve just had to continue with the reserves we’ve got. Without those pounds that people have been giving us, we might have disappeared.
ADVERTISEMENT
“As it stands, we have a lifeline.”
Chester Zoo staff won’t be the only ones happy to see guests returning, either.
The animals will, too
“Some of the more social species such as primates have been aware of a lack of people,” Jamie tells us.
“When I’ve been walking around the zoo they tend to come to the edge of the habitat and wonder what you’re doing.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’m sure some of them have missed interacting with people.
“We’re never going to give up on animal welfare or high standards.
“We’ve got about 600 staff here at Chester Zoo, about two-thirds have been furloughed and the ones who’ve remained are primarily our keeping staff who make sure all 35,000 animals here are well looked after – as is our huge plant collection.
“Even though the gates are closed and we haven’t been making any income, we’ve still been doing the same as we always do.”
Finally, Jamie wants to extend his gratitude to everyone who has done their bit to protect the zoo from extinction.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s been people power that’s convinced the government to let us open again,” the zoo COO says.
“It’s all down to those people who have written to their MPs, signed petitions, donated to us who’ve shown there’s huge love for us – and other zoos in the UK.
“We’re not a sector that can stay shut.
“We’re doing great things for conservation around the world and that needs to continue.”
You can learn more about supporting Chester Zoo here.
News
Manchester City reveals details around the first Andy’s Man Club sessions at the Etihad Stadium
Danny Jones
Manchester City have released the first details surrounding their inaugural Andy’s Man Club sessions at the Etihad Campus.
One of the most important charities in the UK when it comes to male mental health and suicide prevention, Andy’s Man Club and even its logo alone have become a recognisable force for good over the past few years, and the significance of bringing it to such a big scale as City cannot be overstated.
The football club first announced the partnership back in February and has already been working closely with the non-profit organisation to promote better wellbeing amongst men, getting first-team stars such as defender John Stones to open up about his own experiences with mental health just last month.
With that in mind, the word is now out that Man City will be providing yet another location for groups to meet and crucially talk through Andy’s Man Club sessions, confirming details around their first meeting from next week onwards.
Set to kick off in the East Stand of the Etihad Stadium from 7-9pm on Monday, 13 May, Man City will not only help deliver a vital outlet for men in the East Manchester area but become just the latest in a long line of teams to back the regular support group.
Joining over 180 clubs nationwide – including the likes of Altrincham FC, Ashton United and Bolton Wanderers, just to name a few in the Greater Manchester area – Andy’s Mans Club is currently helping well over 4,000 men open up and combat their struggles through peer-to-peer sessions.
Founded by a group of nine blokes from Halifax back in 2016 to create positive change in men’s mental health, Andy’s Man Club now helps gather men aged 18 and over across the country every week throughout the year.
In alignment with other partnered clubs Andy’s Man Clubs across the country, attendees will be asked to arrive from 18:30 (UK) ahead of the 19:00 start time.
The sessions are free with registration or ID required and, more importantly, there’s no pressure to talk if you don’t want to. The first step is easy: just listen.
Just because it’s being held at City’s ground doesn’t mean you have to be a season ticket holder, have an official Cityzens membership to attend or anything like that, you can simply arrive via the East Stand reception (Door F) and join the session.
Attendees will be greeted on arrival by trained volunteers from Andy’s Man Club who will guide them through the stadium. With the club now on board, group sessions will be running at the same time every week (except bank holiday Mondays) with the first dates scheduled for the following nights this month:
Monday 13 May
Monday 20 May
Monday 3 June
Monday 10 June
Well done to all those involved in bringing Andy’s Man Club to Manchester City and the East Manchester community. We hope the sessions will help those going along as they have done for thousands of others.
Co-op Live boss issues statement as troubled Manchester venue takes ‘a short pause’
Daisy Jackson
The top dog at Co-op Live has issued a statement addressing the immediate future of the venue, which last night announced more high-profile event changes.
The enormous new arena out by the Etihad Stadium confirmed that Take That – who were lined up to play a whopping SEVEN shows at Co-op Live – would be moving their five May gigs across to established venue the AO Arena.
It follows the postponement of Olivia Rodrigo (Friday and Saturday), Keane (Sunday) and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (called off on Wednesday with fans already queueing outside) – not to mention Peter Kay and The Black Keys.
The Co-op Live has now said it will be taking ‘a short pause’ from events while it works to make the state-of-the-art space safe and secure for fans and artists.
Details of all the rescheduled shows, new dates and venue changes are towards the end of this article.
An independent inspection of the arena ceiling will be taking place in the next fortnight.
The venue has apologised again, saying ‘we are aware our actions have frustrated and angered ticket holders’.
In a statement it also said that the ‘significant impact’ on fans would be addressed and recognised, at the request of naming rights partner The Co-op Group – details on what that will look like will follow.
Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group (which owns and operates Co-op Live), has now also released a statement offering his ‘sincere apologies’.
He said: “As many of you will know, it’s not been the smooth start we had planned for, and I know that has caused a huge amount of disruption and frustration to thousands of people.
“On behalf of all of us at Oak View Group, I’d like to express my sincere apologies to all those that have been affected. We understand that there is work to be done to rebuild your trust in us.
“This starts now and at the request of the naming rights partner, The Co-op Group, we will be addressing impact on affected ticket holders, details of which will be shared soon.
“I’d like to reiterate my sincerest apologies to everyone that has been affected by the delays around the opening of Co-op Live.
“The team here is working incredibly hard to get the building up and running, and we look forward to welcoming you to the arena from 14 May 2024.”
Co-op Live’s full statement reads: “Ticket holders and fans. Following the events that led to the cancelled A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show on 1 May, we have decided to take a short pause to events at Co-op Live to fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists visiting the venue.
“This time will allow for an independent inspection of all elements of the arena ceiling.
“We have worked with promoters to limit the impact on fans, keeping as many shows as possible in Manchester.”
As for the rest of Co-op Live’s opening gig programme (the next scheduled show is Elbow on 14 May), it continued: “At this time, we do not expect further impact on our opening season.
“We are aware our actions have frustrated and angered ticket holders.
“We know you’ve incurred significant disruption, and are finding a way to help make it right.
“We are taking the pause to think about the best ways to do that.
“Our naming rights partner, the Co-op Group, has also expressed the importance of ensuring that the significant impact on ticketholders is recognised and addressed, with more detail to follow soon.”
New dates and venue changes for Co-op Live’s rescheduled gigs
Peter Kay – original dates 23 and 24 April. Rescheduled dates 29 and 30 April. NEW DATES 23 and 24 May.
The Black Keys – original date 27 April. New date 15 May 2024.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – original date 1 May – new date 4 May and venue change to AO Arena.
Olivia Rodrigo – original dates 3 and 4 May – new dates to be announced.
Keane – original date 5 May – new dates to be announced.
Take That – original dates 7, 10, 11, 12 May – venue change to AO Arena.
Take That – original date 8 May – new date 9 May and venue change to AO Arena.
Take That’s June dates remain unaffected.
Ticket holders for each event will be contacted by their point of purchase, and refunds will be available if preferred.