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.
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.
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Artist impression images of The Square at Chester Zoo set to open in 2023 / Credit: Chester ZooArtist 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.
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.
“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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The cheapest Christmas Markets in the world for mulled wine have been revealed
Daisy Jackson
The most affordable Christmas Markets for drinking mulled wine have been revealed – and Manchester is nowhere in sight.
With Christmas markets across Europe preparing to welcome millions of visitors, festive fans looking to enjoy a warming cup of glühwein without breaking the bank might want to take note of the latest findings.
Festive experts at Christmas Tree World have analysed mulled wine prices at Christmas markets around the world to discover where visitors can enjoy the seasonal favourite for less.
Topping the rankings is Brussels’ Winter Wonders, where mulled wine is available for as little as £2.14 – about a third of the price of a mulled wine at the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Markets and Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik share second place, with starting prices of just £2.56.
Other European favourites also feature prominently in the rankings. Budapest’s Christmas Market at the Basilica takes fourth place, with mulled wine costing £3.19, while Prague’s Old Town Square Christmas Market comes in sixth at £3.55.
Germany makes another strong appearance, with Dresden’s Striezelmarkt and Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt (which handily just launched new direct flights from Manchester) both offering mulled wine for £3.85.
Meanwhile, Vienna’s Christmas World rounds off the European entries in ninth place, with prices starting at £4.28.
For those planning a festive adventure further afield, Tokyo’s Christmas Market also makes the top five, with mulled wine costing £3.22.
However, not every destination offers such a bargain. Across the Atlantic, New York City’s Winter Village takes the title of the most expensive market in the study, with mulled wine costing a rather less festive £11.74. Chicago’s Christkindlmarket isn’t far behind, charging £8.80.
Manchester Christmas Markets start on Friday 6 November – we’ll see how our prices stack up then.
Sir Ian McKellen pays emotional tribute to long-time friend and fellow northern actor Sir Patrick Stewart
Emily Sergeant
Sir Ian McKellen has paid an emotional tribute to his long-time friend and fellow northern actor, Sir Patrick Stewart, following his death.
Sir Patrick Stewart – who was born and bred in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, and is best-known for his theatre work alongside an illustrious 60-year screen career, taking on prominent roles in franchises such as Star Trek and X-Men – sadly passed away at the age of 86, with his death being announced publicly yesterday evening (29 October).
And now, his long-time friend and fellow northern actor, Sir Ian McKellen, has paid tribute.
Sir Patrick and Sir Ian shared the stage together countless times over their decades-long careers, but also famously starred alongside each other in the X-Men franchise, and subsequent Marvel movies, as Charles Xavier/Professor X and Magneto.
The tribute, shared across Sir Ian’s social media platforms, reads: “Before everything else, Patrick was defined by being born and bred in Yorkshire, the proud county in the north of England which he loved to the end. You could hear it in his accented voice and in the stern honesty with which he told you what he thought and felt. Yorkshiremen have no truck with half-truths or avoidance of big issues. He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.
“We first met as ambitious young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company half a century ago but we weren’t in the same productions.
“My first strong memory was a few years later, meeting him in the street in central London when he told me about an offer to take over a leading part in ‘Star Trek’. “But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?”
“Well, he took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did, for not just his devoted Trekkies, but film and theatre audiences who marvelled at his using international celebrity to star in a string of cinema successes (‘X-Men’ of course) and in great classical plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Arthur Miller, Peter Shaffer, Pinter and Beckett at Stratford-upon-Avon, in London’s West End and on Broadway.
“America was his adopted home, where he met his adored Sunny who has cared for him through sickness and health, through thick and thin.
“But he never forsook his origins: and the proudest achievement of the most respected and beloved actor of his generation on either side of the Atlantic, was his appointment as Chancellor of Huddersfield University in Yorkshire.”
Emily Sergeant -
1st July 2022 
