IN BRIEF
CHESTER ZOO WELCOMES
ONE MILLION VISITORS
IN RECORD TIME TRUST WINS GRANT FOR
NEW STEM GALLERY IN
PORT SUNLIGHT VILLAGE
Chester Zoo has welcomed its one millionth visitor of
2019 – the earliest the wildlife charity has ever reached
the milestone in its 88-year history. Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT) has been awarded
a grant from AIM Biffa Award through their History
Makers scheme, to create a new permanent exhibition in
Port Sunlight, enhancing the current visitor experience
in the village.
New figures, released today, reveal the zoo achieved the landmark
on 30 June - beating its previous record, set last year, by 12 days. The
zoo, which is home to more than 27,000 animals from 500 different
species, is already the UK’s most visited zoo and the country’s most
visited tourist attraction outside London. It is now on course to break
two million visitors in a year for the first time.
Jamie Christon, Chester Zoo’s Chief Operating Officer, said:
“To have reached this milestone earlier than ever before is just
incredible. Zoo visitors are looking for new and exciting experiences
and we want to keep providing them with a spectacular day out,
which is why the zoo is always changing and looking to create new,
innovative habitats. We hope visitors leave the zoo feeling inspired, so
that they take action themselves during their day-to-day lives. If we all
start taking steps to change our habits then species around the world
will have a much, much brighter future.”
The zoo has already opened a number of new attractions this year,
including a brand new Madagascan dry forest zone, which is home to
some of the world’s most spectacular animals including the African
island’s super predator, the fossa. It also includes the zoo’s first ever
walkthrough habitat where visitors are surrounded by some of the
rarest lemur species on the planet.
More new animal habitats are set to open soon. Building works are
well underway for a new and expansive Asiatic lion habitat, due to
open in autumn this year. The new area is inspired by the Gir National
Park region of India where just 600 wild Asiatic lions remain.
Looking further ahead, the zoo has planned a huge new Grasslands
zone – due to open in 2022 – inspired by a number of different
African habitats, which will see species such as giraffes, zebra and
ostrich living side-by-side.
The new gallery will become part of Port Sunlight Museum’s existing
offer, almost doubling its size. It will be situated in a different public
building to the museum, increasing access to Port Sunlight’s unique
heritage and encouraging visitors to go beyond the main tourist routes.
The History Makers scheme funds museums to create new exhibitions
that will inspire the public through the lives and achievements of
extraordinary, historical figures. The scheme is managed by the
Association of Independent Museums (AIM) and Biffa Award, a multi
million-pound fund that helps to build communities and transform
lives through awarding grants to communities and environmental
projects across the UK as part of the Landfill Communities Fund.
The aim of the gallery is to engage and inspire children and young
people in the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) by exploring the impact and legacy of Port Sunlight’s
founder William Lever through innovative interpretation, creativity
and co-production. The gallery will feature new research, previously
untold stories, and hidden treasures currently not on display.
The PSVT team is expanding to deliver this exciting project including
interpretive planning and research consultants Catherine Mailhac
and Gwendolen Powell and a dedicated STEM Officer post which will
be advertised shortly. Participation sits at the heart of the project and
children, young people and students from local schools, colleges and
universities are being recruited as ‘curators’ to assist the team, bringing
to life ‘Soap King’ William Lever and the impact of his remarkable
vision on industry and society. Funding has also been secured by the
MMIAH project funded through the Interreg Atlantic Area ERDF
programme for a Cross Reality Experience within the new gallery,
combining augmented and virtual reality. This will provide visitors
with a more immersive experience.
wirrallife.com 11