The Russell Partnership:  case studies:  Leisure Events & Destinations:  Chester Zoo:

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo covers an area of over 100 acres within a total land holding of over 400 acres.

Founded in 1934, the North of England Zoological Society is the registered charity that operates Chester Zoo and receives no government funding. It has grown to become one of the largest and most interesting zoos in the UK with over 1m visitors per year.

The Zoo is internationally known for its innovative enclosure designs, its many breeding successes and its involvement in co-operative breeding programmes.

The Russell Partnership was commissioned to work with the Zoo management and architectural team to design and provide the feasibility proposal for a new 200+ seater visitor café at the Zoo. The feasibility study was based on the Partnership’s unique commercial and space models, which combine projected visitor numbers, current trends, generic industry usage figures to calculate the optimum commercial and space allocation model.

The café design is based on the Tsavo region of Africa, home to the "big five" animals. The contemporary food offering and servery has been designed to manage the very high volumes experienced at the Zoo whilst at the same time providing an eating environment which will work throughout the year.

Following approval of the scheme, the Partnership was commissioned to carry out the detailed kitchen design and provide ongoing strategic support to the management team through to opening, to include menu and operational opening support.

The Tsavo café successfully opened in 2006.