Chester Zoo Catering and entrance changes

Found out today that its proposed that The Ark closes on Monday for the refurbishment to start seen as it was meant to be tomorrow. That lack of variety will be a whole lot smaller very soon.
 
Must say in 4 years of going to the zoo we've never had a problem with the food itself. The lack of variety was our only concern. The food was always hot and good value for money.

I'd be inclined to agree here - the hot meals are all "home made" on site and before they took it off the menu the Chilli & Rice (or half and half if feeling naughty) was my favorite - the Mushroom Stroganoff is rather good too.

The delay standing in the payment queue can sometimes mean that the food gets cooled faster than I'd like so I'd suggest some more payment points for busy times myself?
Otherwise I await the new menu with ever so slightly baited breath :D
 
The face-painting is being re-located next door (in what was the pottery studio) and now the face-painting building has become the Oaks Coffee Cabin. The hardware is being moved in so it should be up and running soon.

Old-timers will remember when the absolute last place you'd want to eat was in the zoo, you had better chances surviving a sparring match with the chimpanzees than with the food. However, over the last ten or so years, the standard has improved greatly and while there are a few minor issues, I can think of far worse places to eat.
 

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Sorry but it's been very quiet when we last went in there got served straight away but still cold. i think the food had been lying there a while.I would love to support them and eat there but not when we are disappointed with the food.It was about 12 months since we went last.
 
Why do I get the feeling that we are yet again putting two and two together and coming up with ten as an answer!

Would Chester do something that would make the Elephant paddock after just doing it up?Answer NO

Is the work on the new Turnstiles related to Natural Vision?I doubt it as most of it is still being designed by the zoo,so more than likely its just something that the zoo has seen needs to be altered to improve the visitor experience!!
 
Why do I get the feeling that we are yet again putting two and two together and coming up with ten as an answer!

Would Chester do something that would make the Elephant paddock after just doing it up?Answer NO

Is the work on the new Turnstiles related to Natural Vision?I doubt it as most of it is still being designed by the zoo,so more than likely its just something that the zoo has seen needs to be altered to improve the visitor experience!!

In fairness, there are quite specific plans in the Natural Vision planning application showing a arrangement very similar to that described that does show part of the current elephant paddock being removed - so it's not come from nowhere!

But, yes, there's nothing to say that will actually happen at this time (or indeed at all) - for the minute I'm waiting-and-seeing.
 
In fairness, there are quite specific plans in the Natural Vision planning application showing a arrangement very similar to that described that does show part of the current elephant paddock being removed - so it's not come from nowhere!
Indeed. The document from the Strategic Planning Committee meeting last year is clear. The zoo put forward a "hybrid" application, phase 1 being detailed and specific, while future phases were outlined with all associated details being for "future consideration" and therefore requiring individual (and additional) reserve matters applications.

Phase 1 included "creation of new welcome, entrance and orientation zone around the zoo entrance, with landscaping strategy and new entrance plaza." As phase 1 was part of the detailed elements, it required a complete set of planning documents, and they included the elevation and ground plans linked to earlier in this thread.

It's quite possible that the plans could change, but if that turns out to be the case the application will need to be amended, and one would also wonder why in such a detailed and comprehensive application, nobody noticed a reduction in paddock size if it wasn't intended.

There are also detailed surveys into visitor flow, numbers and entrance experience, all of which are used to support the application in regards to ticket booths and the way the turnstiles etc. will be changed.
 
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I'd be inclined to agree here - the hot meals are all "home made" on site and before they took it off the menu the Chilli & Rice (or half and half if feeling naughty) was my favorite - the Mushroom Stroganoff is rather good too.

Stew & dumplings was my favourite meal as a child & I still love it so I have to put a word in for the zoo's very enjoyable one!
 
I'll second that! The perfect thing after a few hours trudging around in windy weather when you just need something warm and stodgy to eat!
 
It's official, the Ark Restaurant is to become June's Pavilion. I can only think that it is being named after June Williams, in which case it's a shame the zoo couldn't come up with a more fitting tribute.

Full text reads:

"June's Pavilion will utterly transform the Ark restaurant [sic] into a vibrant food court, serving fresh ground burgers, wood fired pizzas, fresh fish and chips and yummy Italian pastas - all mouth watering stuff!

"We are serving fresh coffee and cakes, home made soups and sandwiches in our new facility The Oaks Coffee Cabin, situated by the Jubilee monorail station [sic]. Alternatively visit Oakfield House and enjoy our tea room or a more substantial lunch.

"Please accept our apologies whilst we are closed."
 

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