Chester Zoo secures funding for new wildlife habitat and sustainable hotel

Securing funding to support conservation, visitor growth and future development 

Chester Zoo announced plans for a new Africa wildlife zone and a lodge-style hotel that would enable visitors to experience wildlife in closer proximity – all while supporting the zoo’s long-term conservation goals. 

The development forms part of the zoo’s wider strategic growth plans, and includes a major new habitat for rare and endangered species such as giraffes, zebra, ostrich and antelope. Alongside this, the proposed hotel will be built to high environmental standards and provide a unique visitor experience. 

With significant expansion plans underway, the zoo required financial arrangements that would support both its commercial objectives and environmental commitments. 

To bring these projects to life, Chester Zoo secured funding from Santander, including a Green Loan designed to support environmentally sustainable development. 

Delivering banking and finance advice to support a complex funding arrangement 

Led by Banking Partner Tony Dean, our Banking experts worked closely with Chester Zoo, and its advisers, throughout the funding process to ensure the funding package could be used effectively to support both the zoo’s expansion plans, and its conservation mission.

Working closely with the zoo and its advisers, we: 

• Advised on the funding arrangements supporting the development projects. 
• Assisted with the implementation of Santander’s Green Loan facility.
• Helped to structure the financing to maximise its effectiveness. 
• Worked alongside stakeholders to ensure funding aligned with the zoo’s strategic objectives.
• Supported the successful completion of the financing arrangements.

Securing funding for major wildlife and visitor experience developments

The funding enabled Chester Zoo to move forward with the next phase of its long-term development strategy, supporting major investment in wildlife conservation, visitor facilities, and sustainable growth. 

Construction commenced on the zoo’s new Africa zone, bringing together a range of habitats and creating a home for rare and endangered species from across the continent.   

The funding also supports plans for a new lodge-style hotel, designed to high environmental standards, which will create a unique visitor experience while generating additional revenue to fund conservation work. 

By helping Chester Zoo secure and implement the funding arrangements, we supported a project that will benefit wildlife conservation, enhance the visitor experience, and contribute to the organisation’s long-term sustainability. 

Reflections from Chester Zoo:

Liz Carnie, Corporate Director at Chester Zoo, said:

“Our new African zone and overnight accommodation will put a spotlight on a whole host of highly threatened species from the African continent. 

These important new additions to our zoo will ensure we can continue to attract visitors for years and years to come, which is key to funding our vital species-saving work long into the future. 

At a time when a million species are faced with extinction and global biodiversity under huge threat, these projects will give a major boost to our charity and the conservation work we carry out, here in Chester and right across the world.” 

Key results, in review:

• Supported funding arrangements for Chester Zoo’s next phase of strategic development. 

• Assisted with the implementation of a Green Loan provided by Santander. 

• Enabled development of a new Africa wildlife zone housing rare and endangered species. 

• Supported plans for a sustainable lodge-style visitor accommodation development. 

• Helped create a funding platform that supports long-term conservation and visitor growth objectives.