Did you get the Metro at St Peter’s Square this morning? Probably not. Manchester is just one of the cities we cover, and St Peter’s Square is just one tram stop therein.
In fairness I only live a couple of minutes away, but I still get the tram from Deansgate.
Nonetheless, if you did happen to be in St Peter’s Square this morning, you might have noticed Chester Zoo’s takeover of the Metrolink station, which is now known as ‘St Cheetah’s Square.’
Working with Transport for Greater Manchester and Love Sugar Science, the zoo has transformed one of Manchester’s biggest Metrolink stations to highlight the immersive experience visitors get from a day out at Chester Zoo.
Families and commuters will be “treated to a slice of Chester Zoo magic,” including face painting, giveaways and competitions to win free family tickets to the zoo at a special launch day at newly named St Cheetah’s Square, which will also feature a special fully wrapped Chester Zoo tram.
The OOH activity is completed by a more extensive activation plan, built around the ambition to “showcase the sheer awe and delight that’s inspired by a day at the zoo, and the conservation work made possible by visitors.”
Media activity was planned and developed by Manchester’s Love Sugar Science and creative agency Meanwhile, who worked with Chester Zoo and TfGM to unlock the potential of the activation whilst “retaining clear strategic grounding.”
Anna Barker, senior marketing manager at Chester Zoo, said: “Chester Zoo is a special place for so many. It’s a place where visitors get close to wildlife, where family and friends connect, where lifelong memories are created and where a passion for nature is ignited. But the zoo is more than a great day out, we’re a world leading conservation zoo, and every single visitor is helping to fund our conservation work, here in the UK and all around the world.”
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s head of Metrolink, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Chester Zoo and partners to deliver this impressive and immersive transformation of one of our busiest Metrolink stops, as well as a wrapped tram that has taken a walk on the wild side. There will be plenty of activities for children and their families to get their teeth into at St Cheetah’s Square, and I hope everyone who visits the stop on the day enjoys themselves.”
I have to confess at this point that while passing through St Peter’s Square on the way the “the UK’s biggest tribute band festival” Festwich on Sunday, I let slip the embargoed “Cheetah’s Square” information to a Manchester United-supporting friend I was travelling with.
“Oh – it’s not for City winning the Champions’ League then,” he quipped. Very good, my red friend, very good.
Elvis was great.
