George Saul Mottershead (1894–1978)

George Saul Mottershead (1894–1978)

George Saul Mottershead was born at 33 Lindow Street, Sale Moor, in 1894. From 1912–1920, he lived above 131 Northenden Road, in Sale, where he opened a physical culture school known as ‘Saul’s School of Scientific Physical Culture’. After visiting Belle Vue amusement park and witnessing animals living in cages, Mottershead was determined to build ‘a zoo without bars’. He went on to found the Chester Zoo, which opened to a rather nervous public on 10 June 1931.
A blue plaque dedicated to George Mottershead’s vision, lift and achievements was erected at the One Stop Shop, on Northenden Road, in Sale, on 9th October 2014.

Trafford Local Studies Centre