The very first images of a brand-new luxury wedding venue opening its doors at Chester Zoo have finally been released.
After the UK’s largest charity zoo announced back in July 2022 that it would be venturing into the events scene with the opening of one of the North West‘s most unique wedding venues this year, the jaw-dropping first images of the luxury 200-capacity space, known as The Square, have officially been revealed to the public.
The Square is set to open following a three-year project to restore a Grade II-listed stable block, which has stood at the heart of the zoo since it opened in 1931.
The original structures were once home to some of the zoo’s first animals including lions, bears and chimpanzees – but now, the historic building offers a unique setting for weddings, with couples able to tie the knot surrounded by 27,000 animals.
First images of Chester Zoo’s stunning new luxury wedding venue released / Credit: Chester Zoo
When wedding bells aren’t ringing though, the venue can also be booked exclusively for meetings and corporate events.
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Featuring a whole host of preserved original features that Chester Zoo says “tell the story of its remarkable history”, the building boasts an impressive gated entrance, a large private courtyard, exposed brick walls, vaulted rafters, and large windows overlooking newly created gardens, while many of the patterns and textures used throughout draw inspiration from some of the endangered species the zoo is working to protect.
Conservationists say income generated by every occasion held at the new venue will contribute to the zoo’s charitable efforts to prevent extinction.
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It’s also hoped the venue will go on to stage important global summits on wildlife conservation.
The Square is set to open in 2023 / Credit: Chester Zoo
“There’s nothing else quite like this stunning new venue anywhere in the UK,” admitted Chester Zoo’s CEO Jamie Christon.
“It’s an incredible building that’s stood at the heart of the zoo for approaching a century and, through careful restoration, it’s now been brought to life to create a one-of-a-kind space which not only embodies the zoo’s rich history and character, but offers modern luxuries and comforts.
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“And what’s more, who wouldn’t want to get married or have a company away day surrounded by 27,000 animals?
“Most importantly, each and every occasion that takes place at The Square will contribute to our charitable mission to prevent extinction, helping us to secure a brighter future for wildlife worldwide.
“That’s what makes our new venue incredibly special and we can’t wait to start welcoming people to it.”
The Grade II-listed space can accommodate up to 380 guests / Credit: Chester Zoo
The Square can accommodate 200 guests inside its main room, The Atrium, while three other reception and breakout rooms take the total capacity of the building to 380.
Each of the rooms can be used independently or in combination, giving the building the flexibility to be able to host any type of event, large or small.
Find out more and enquire about booking on the Chester Zoo website here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Kyle Walker set to leave Manchester City on a free transfer with at least two clubs monitoring
Danny Jones
Kyle Walker looks to be leaving Manchester City after the best part of eight years and could be set to join another Premier League clubif reports are to be believed.
The long-serving Man City and England defender has been at the Etihad Stadium throughout the most successful spell, but has gradually fallen out of favour with Pep Guardiola of late.
Walker regularly played more than 30 games per campaign under the Catalan coach for seven years, but was ultimately loaned out to AC Milan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, where he made just over a dozen appearances.
Despite being one of the first names on the team sheet for the longest time, the Sheffield-born full-back has grown to become somewhat of a divisive figure among the fan base. As a result, he is now preparing to find a new club with his contract expiring this summer, and Everton is said to be interested.
🚨🔵 Kyle Walker (35) is seen as a potential signing for Everton this summer, reports @mcgrathmike/@TeleFootball! 🏴
This transfer update comes from Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath, who writes that the Merseyside club have identified Walker as a possibility, with David Moyes looking to recruit additions to his backline.
According to McGrath, “Kyle Walker [is] seen as a potential signing for Everton this summer with David Moyes looking at signing a right-back”, adding that the departure of former Aston Villa and Manchester United player, Ashley Young, as well as Jack O’Brien’s ability to play central makes it a viable option.
Were he to be picked up by the often struggling top-flight team, the 35-year-old would be yet another senior appointment to bolster the defensive ranks, effectively replacing Young (38).
The Toffees have flirted with the relegation zone in recent times, but with previously popular manager Moyes having returned to the club and now set to begin a maiden chapter at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Bramley Moore Dock, the first division veteran and serial winner could be a key signing.
Walker asked to leave the club back in January, securing his loan spell in Serie A shortly after, but as he is soon set to leave permanently as a free agent, he could prove a good bit of business for Everton.
🗞️Kyle Walker would cost a nominal or potentially no fee, while Everton also have interest in soon to be free agents Kenny Tete, Vladimir Coufal and Kyle Walker-Peters
Other suitors are said to include Fenerbahçe SK, with a number of European players entering the latter stages of their career opting for a switch to the Turkish league.
However, with still plenty of strength, pace and experience in a number of defensive positions, Walker will no doubt favour his chances remaining in the ever-competitive and fast-paced Premier League.
What about you, Blues – will you be sad to see him go?
The TikTok that TRICKED people into thinking Oasis played at Parklife last night
Thomas Melia
A TikTok video has gone viral overnight after one user tricked people into thinking there was a surprise Oasis set at Parklife last night.
In case you haven’t heard, or your social media feed hasn’t been packed with videos giving you serious FOMO, the biggest weekend in the Manchester music calendar, Parklife, is well underway.
Heaton Park may have been home to another familiar British rock band, Catfish and The Bottlemen on Friday night, but a certain rock band which definitely weren’t in attendance last night (as much as TikTok might want you to believe) is Oasis.
Although Parklife is welcoming the likes of A-list talent such as Charli XCX, 50 Cent, Jorja Smith and more, familiar household name and Britpop icons Oasis are not playing out across any of the two-day weekender.
Parklife is Manchester’s biggest festival weekender.This festival draws in crowds of up to 80,000 across both days.
But a video uploaded last night, which showed Oasis seemingly playing a set at this music festival, went viral with the caption, ‘Can’t believe Oasis just performed at Parklife’.
One TikTok user seemed very annoyed at the fact that, “My daughter was there and she hasn’t told me !!!! She hasn’t said anything ???”
Another said: “No way I sold my ticket.”
Someone else commented: “Wait what?!”
While another user outsmarted this viral video by asking the original uploader: “Do Oasis know about this?”
The video which has now resurfaced and gone viral online was actually taken back in 2022 when Liam Gallagher played out to a packed 85,000 crowd at Knebworth – not Parklife.
Although Liam Gallagher may have been scheduled to play Heaton Park back in 2020 on his own, he definitely didn’t play last night and the rest of the Oasis troupe, including Noel, definitely weren’t in attendance too.
This, however, will be a different story next month as the boys are set to play five non-consecutive nights at Heaton Park between 11 and 20 July.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd May 2023 
