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Inside Chester Zoo’s stunning new wedding venue that has availability for 2023

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st July 2022

Stunning new images have revealed what Chester Zoo‘s upcoming luxury wedding and events venue will look like when it opens next year.

The UK’s biggest charity zoo has released an exclusive set of artist’s impressions providing a first glimpse of the wildlife charity’s new 200-capacity wedding destination – which is named ‘The Square’ and is scheduled to open in spring 2023.

The pictures show the building’s bright and spacious interiors, and the rooms feature patterns and textures that draw inspiration from the zoo’s mission to prevent the extinction of endangered species.

The luxury space is an extension of an existing Grade II-listed stable block that has stood at the heart of the 128-acre zoo since it opened in 1931.

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The original structures were once home to some of the zoo’s first animals such as lions, bears, and chimpanzees, and conservationists at the zoo say they plan to retain the “rich history and character” of the building through the renovation.

Artist impression images of The Square at Chester Zoo set to open in 2023 / Credit: Chester Zoo
Artist impression images of The Square at Chester Zoo set to open in 2023 / Credit: Chester Zoo

The space will also be extended in some areas using sustainably sourced and wildlife-friendly materials.

Featuring an impressive gated entrance, the unique building will also have its own large private courtyard, exposed brick walls, vaulted rafters, and large windows overlooking the zoo’s botanical gardens.

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Read more: Chester Zoo unveils plans for overnight safari lodges where you can wake up to giraffes

There’ll also be a whole host of preserved historical features too.

Speaking ahead of the venue’s launch next year, Jamie Christon – CEO at Chester Zoo – said: “Work is underway to bring to life this incredible building that has stood at the heart of the zoo for more than 91 years.

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Artist impression images of The Square at Chester Zoo set to open in 2023 / Credit: Chester Zoo

“The Square will be a special, one-of-a-kind space that preserves the zoo’s rich history and character, while also adding a modern twist to its interior that showcases our plans for a more sustainable future.

While the zoo has, for some time, offered an intimate wedding and events space at The Oakfield gastropub, which can hold around 50 guests, we’re frequently asked if we can accommodate larger scale events.

“That’s why we’re really excited to begin welcoming guests to this incredible new venue from early next year.

Read more: Chester Zoo has been crowned the best large visitor attraction in England for 2022

“But what’s particularly special is that income generated by each and every occasion that takes place at The Square will contribute to our charitable mission and help us to secure a brighter future for wildlife on our planet.

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“When The Square opens in spring 2023, there will be nothing else quite like it in the UK.”

Artist impression images of The Square at Chester Zoo set to open in 2023 / Credit: Chester Zoo

The grand opening of The Square is planned for spring 2023, and wedding dates are still available.

The main event room is planned to have a capacity of 200, while reception and breakout rooms brings the total capacity of the building to 380.

You can find out more, and enquire about your wedding or event here.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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Sainsbury’s and Tesco become latest retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Sainsbury’s and Tesco have become the two latest retailers to halt the selling of disposable barbecues amid wildfire risks.

The UK is currently in the midst of the second heatwave of the year, with temperatures soaring and a heat-health warning issued by the UKHSA, and now, following a rise in the number of wildfires reported in relation to the warm weather, Sainsbury’s and Tesco have made the decision to stop selling disposable barbecues at all stores.

These two supermarket giants have notably followed in the footsteps of M&S, which confirmed earlier this month that it had taken the “precautionary step” of removing disposable barbecues from sale across the UK.

Read more: M&S praised for removing disposable barbecues from sale over fire risk

Sainsbury’s and Tesco are the two latest retailers to halt the selling of disposable barbecues / Credit: Tesco | Sainsbury’s

Waitrose, Aldi, and other retailers had previously also announced they would no longer stock disposable barbecues due to their “detrimental impact” on the environment and wildlife.

Morrisons, and the Co-op say they do not sell disposable barbecues close to UK national parks.

Confirming the halting of disposable barbecue sales until further notice, also as a “precautionary measure”, a spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “Safety is our highest priority and we have made this decision due to the hot and dry weather that we are currently experiencing across the country.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and listen to customer feedback.”

The move by retailers comes as fire services nationwide warning of “tinderbox conditions” / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Tesco has also confirmed that its decision to stop selling disposable barbecues is a temporary one, and says it will continue to sell small metal portable barbecues instead – with disposables set to be made available again once weather conditions allow.

Read more: ‘Heat-health’ alert issued across UK this week as temperatures rise

The move by retailers comes as fire services nationwide warning of “tinderbox conditions”.

They have asked people not to use barbecues in the countryside, public greenspaces, and high-risk places – such as balconies and on dry grass – after an increase in the number of call-outs.

Featured Image – Instant BBQ

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Chester Zoo shares video of ‘rare’ baby giraffe falling 6ft to the ground as it’s born

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Cameras and Chester Zoo have captured the moment a rare baby giraffe made its entrance into the world this past weekend.

And it’s fair to say, he certainly burst onto the scene.

In a birth that’s unlike many others and appeared to shock the surrounding long-legged residents, Chester Zoo has shared a video of the adorable new giraffe calf falling more than 6ft onto a bed of soft straw as he arrived into the world, after 14-year-old mum, Orla, gave birth last Saturday at 2:57am – which brought to an end to a 15 month-long (473 day) pregnancy

The incredible CCTV footage also shows the moment the newborn stands up and takes his very first steps and enjoys his first feed – a moment zookeepers say is “vitally important” for the bond between mum and baby.

Chester Zoo’s giraffe team manager Sarah Roffe explained that, while it may sound unusual, this 6ft-high fall is “a really important part of the birthing process” for giraffes, as it’s what helps to break the umbilical cord and stimulate the calf to take its very first breath.

“While tiny in comparison to mum Orla, her new arrival was born already towering above us at 6ft tall and weighing a hefty 72kg,” Sarah added.

She continued: “Following the dramatic birth, it’s vitally important that the calf gets to its feet quickly and ventures over to mum for its first feed, as it’s these precious early moments that help to cement that special bond between the two of them – and that’s exactly what occurred between Orla and her baby only minutes after his birth.

“It’s early days, but so far the calf is looking strong, healthy and very content, which is brilliant to see.”

Keepers at the UK’s biggest charity zoo have named the new male giraffe calf Stanley after Mount Stanley, which is the tallest mountain in Uganda in Africa.

Chester Zoo cameras captured the moment a rare baby giraffe made its entrance into the world / Credit: Chester Zoo

Uganda is where the zoo’s conservationists are fighting to boost giraffe numbers.

Right across Africa, giraffes are listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – which is the world’s authority on the state of the natural world – and although Rothschild’s giraffe numbers are now increasing due to conservation efforts, fewer than 2,500 remain in East Africa.

Read more: Chester Zoo to stay open after hours so you can see the nocturnal animals

As their habitats have been lost to make way for mining, urban development, or agricultural farming, as well as poaching for their skin, tails, or meat, Rothschild’s giraffes are now considered one of Africa’s most at-risk mammals.

However, Chester Zoo says that in some parts of Uganda – where the zoo and its partners are actively working – numbers are steadily on the rise, and it’s thanks to decades of conservation efforts.

Keepers have named the new male giraffe calf Stanley / Credit: Chester Zoo

“Having a healthy new calf on the ground here at the zoo is therefore fantastic news for the threatened species breeding programme that’s boosting numbers in conservation zoos like ours,” added Mike Jordan – Director of Animals and Plants at Chester Zoo.

“In tandem with the breeding programme, our team of giraffe experts have been helping our long term partners… to protect, monitor and, in some cases, translocate giraffes from one area of Uganda to another.

Read more: Rare ‘handsome’ tiger arrives at Chester Zoo to save his species

Just over two decades ago the number of giraffes in Kidepo Valley National Park was in single digits, but with these conservation efforts it’s now a protected reserve that’s home to more than 70 adult Rothschild’s giraffes, with calves being born year on year.

“This is just one of the many successful conservation stories that our charity zoo is proud to be part of and really shows that there are good people out there fighting to save species from extinction.”

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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