Chester Zoo wedding venue to open soon #Blog

Victoria Hayes
17th January 2023

CHESTER ZOO has announced the month its new wedding and events venue will be opening its doors – as well as a number of job vacancies.

The new luxury 200-capacity venue, The Square, is getting ready to open its doors in May, and is already taking bookings for those looking to tie the knot.

It is an extension of an existing Grade II-listed stable block that has stood at the heart of the 128-acre conservation 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. 

In recent years, the original heart of the zoo has been tucked away and mainly used as a storage/supply area for zoo staff but, following a three-year restoration project, the historical building will soon be hosting special occasions.

The revamp will mean couples will be able to tie the knot surrounded by 27,000 animals. The venue will also host corporate events and offer unique meeting spaces, while the zoo hopes it will go on to stage important global summits and political conferences centred on wildlife conservation, as part of the zoo’s efforts to protect highly threatened species and the natural world.

Featuring an impressive gated entrance and a host of preserved original features which tell the story of the original building, the unique space will have its own large private courtyard, exposed brick walls, vaulted rafters and large windows overlooking the zoo’s botanical gardens.

Ahead of its grand unveiling, 22 new job roles are being advertised at the exciting new venue – including chefs, bar staff, front of house team members and a number of event staff positions.

Jen McDermott, head of people and culture at the zoo, said: “The Square is a special, one-of-a-kind space that’s rich in history and character.

“It’s stood at the heart of the zoo for approaching a century, and, now it’s been renovated and brought to life, we’re so excited to be able to start welcoming guests to weddings and other large scale events to our incredible new venue in just a few months’ time. 

“If you’re interested in a career at the zoo then we now have a host of roles available working at The Square, from chefs to front of house staff.

“And, as with all roles at our zoo, it’s a wonderful feeling knowing that you’ll be contributing to a better future for wildlife – as a not for profit, all income generated by The Square, and indeed the zoo, goes towards our charitable mission to prevent extinction.

“There really is nothing else quite like The Square anywhere in the UK. What other places of work are there where you can explore 128 acres of beautiful gardens surrounded by 27,000 amazing animals every day?”

For more information, visit www.chesterzoo.org/work-with-us. For details of the new venue, which is now taking bookings, visit www.chesterzoo.org/thesquare