Chester Zoo: Heart of Africa

The Heart of Africa project at Chester Zoo showcases McPhillips’ commitment to excellence, meticulous attention to detail, and collaborative client partnerships. The project emphasized local engagement, with 92% of McPhillips’ 240-strong workforce drawn from within 20 miles of their Telford headquarters. The largest subcontractor is located just ten miles from the Zoo, and key materials—such as rocks for the savannah—were sourced from nearby quarries.

Working within one of the UK’s most visited tourist attractions presented unique challenges. The team carefully planned construction to minimise disruption to animals, managing noise and visual impact. Crane use was limited to prevent distress to the Zoo’s residents, and all efforts aligned with the Zoo’s ambitious Net Zero by 2030 target.

The new lodges offer guests a unique experience, combining comfort with the vivid colours, textures, and natural beauty of the African Savannah. Visitors can enjoy a morning coffee while watching giraffes wander nearby or take in views over the Zoo’s picturesque lake, bringing the magic of Africa to the heart of Cheshire.

More information available here – Chester Zoo Heart of Africa – McPhillips

Excellent service, very knowledgeable staff Steve in particular always goes the extra mile for us whether this be sourcing parts and or offering advice on how to effectively resolve problems on a budget. Really like the local delivery of stuff as well.

I wanted to say thank you to John Hornby, I had a problem that I needed help with. I wanted to find a solution to convert an analogue intercom to a smart one. I contacted various security and intercom companies who wanted to sell me a new system and told me it can’t be done. John had detailed knowledge of the Nuki opener, a genius device that does exactly what I wanted for my air bnb. Not only did he sort my order with efficiency he then went far beyond that and assisted with the installation. We can all buy a box from Amazon. But they won’t be giving this support. Many thanks John.

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Prompt service. Always available for advice and guidance.

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Chester Zoo: Heart of Africa

Chester Zoo: Heart of Africa

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