Back to news

10 June 2020

Chester Business Club held first of its planned series of virtual meetings

Chester Business Club held the first of its planned series of virtual meetings last night (Tuesday 9th June) in the wake of the enforced postponement of Club events following the nationwide lockdown.

Jamie Christon, Chief Operating Officer of Chester Zoo was guest speaker and he spoke, with real passion and concern, about the bleak future of the Zoo if Government policy continued to mean that zoos and safari parks must continue to remain closed.

During his speech he highlighted the much appreciated support the Zoo had received from local MPs, CWaC Council, leading local business groups and the general public, and he hinted that ‘Whitehall attitudes and minds’ were being changed and to expect a positive announcement in a Granada Reports programme later that evening.

Many Club members were among those tuning in at 10.30pm to hear the Good News that Chester Zoo – along with other English zoos and safari parks – will be allowed to open from next Monday (15th June).

The Club played its part in the campaign for the Zoo to be allowed to open, by joining forces with the Cheshire IOD and other leading local business groupings by writing a letter to the Prime Minister- which you can view here.

Watch the full recording of the club’s virtual meeting below.

You can continue to support Chester Zoo by visiting: www.chesterzoo.org/saveourzoo