Jobs likely to go at Marine Aquarium
STAFF at the National Marine Aquarium have been warned their jobs are under threat as bosses carry out a major ‘restructuring’ exercise, The Herald can reveal.
The Coxide attraction today said it would ‘refocus its activities’ and confirmed redundancies were a possibility.
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Managing director Andrew Robertson said: “There will regrettably but unavoidably be a period of transition which could result in a limited number of redundancies.”
He promised to make ‘every effort to support those affected during this difficult time’.
But he said the NMA was forced into considering job losses and said: “We are taking action now to make sure it (the aquarium) is here to stay and that it becomes a key element of marine science not only in the South West but in the UK as a whole.”
The 10-year-old attraction employs 60 full-time and part-time workers.
Mr Robertson said the business was ‘discussing alternatives’, but stressed that he had told The Herald ‘there could be efficiencies’ during a frank interview in September.
He said then that these would be short term and could involve job losses or moving people around.
And he said that if the NMA, an educational charity and a company, was a commercial outfit it would be operating on ‘50 per cent fewer staff’, but he did not want that to happen.
He said today: “A few weeks ago we were looking at how the company is going to restructure. We are still talking to members of staff.”
Last month, Mr Robertson and his senior managers unveiled a five-year plan to prevent the attraction from slipping into financial difficulties.
The aim was to maintain attendance figures which, had it not been for the wet August, would have left the attraction reeling, and strengthen its links with Plymothians.
Managers have stressed their long-term plan is to build on the NMA’s successful schools programme, teaching 30,000 children a year, and to attract lucrative educational grants, leading to a need for more staff. Among ideas being trialled are cheap family tickets, children’s holiday clubs, and even training tombstoners to become scuba divers.
Bosses are also targeting research and already have the support of leading educational institutions including the University of Plymouth, with a view to undertaking joint projects.
Mr Robertson said: “Increased emphasis on education and research is the key to securing the future of the NMA.
“Like many visitor attractions, the organisation faces a constant financial challenge – especially in the present economic climate.
University of Plymouth Vice-Chancellor and chief executive Professor Wendy Purcell said: “We are pleased to support the NMA in realising its new strategic direction.
“The collaboration is an excellent fit – the university has a global reputation for its marine science and technology expertise and the NMA is a nationally recognised showcase with world-class facilities.”
The NMA stressed it was originally set up to educate the public about the marine environment, promote the conservation of marine and freshwater life and conduct education and research.
It said it has become a nationally recognised showcase of marine life and technology and that ‘under this new strategic direction will continue to be a major tourist attraction’.
Mr Robertson has been in charge for just over 18 months, after taking control from Mike Leece, who had steered the operation since the beginning.
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by o'neal, Plymouth
Friday, November 14 2008, 8:05PM
“I think that they have forgotten what it says on the door "Aquarium." Its more like going to Parents evening at your local school. More new fish less classroom then I would come back.”
by RobRoy, The Delta Quadrant
Friday, November 07 2008, 9:47PM
“MW, I'm not long back from Crete where, on a cloudy day, I went to their national aquarium. For eight euro (£5 to £6 depending on who ripped you off for your exchange rate) it was a far more enjoyable experience, all the tanks were occupied and with a bigger variety of marine life.
As others have said, lower the prices and locals might be tempted to come back more frequently than just once every couple of years, especially if they have friends or family visiting from up the line and wondering where to take them.
A family ticket is wasted if you don't visit at least twice a year, but if the attractions within don't change there's no point (except the fish get a little bigger).”
by Jo, Plymouth
Friday, November 07 2008, 7:54PM
“MW,
The cost of addmission is too much for most locals who get a lower salary than the national average and many are elderly living on a small fixed income.
You cannot compare Plymouth at this present time to London or other cities as they generally have higher earners.
I agree they have good interesting displays but the cost of visiting is a number one factor for my people.”
by Paul, Plymouth
Friday, November 07 2008, 7:35PM
“Some people moan about us complaining it cost to much well it is. If it cost £11, it's £30 for a family ticket. you look around for a few hours and honeslty when are you likely to go back there. I went almost 2 years ago and I'm still not in the mood to go back just because of the price and mainly NO CHANGES. it is far too expensive and the fat cats want to make pounds very quickly rather than "pennys make pounds". you charge £5pp you'll get a lot more people in there. it's the same where ever you go and then they moan why it's not doing so good.”
by MW, Eire
Friday, November 07 2008, 7:05PM
“Some people in Plymouth are completely deluded and want the world handed to them on a plate. £11 too much? Have you ever left Devon and seen how much it is at similar (but smaller) attractions? £14 for London aquarium. £15 for Weymouth aquarium. If you take you're time and actually look at the displays properly it could keep you entertained for 3 hours. Thats cheaper than watching Argyle or taking your family to the cinema, and you learn something! Aquariums are very expensive projects to run, if the locals supported it instead of being apathetic we wouldn't have any issues and prices would drop. Plymouth is lucky to have the aquarium. Yes, it was horrendously managed in the early days but that is being rectified, it just needs a bit of support when it needs it most. I'd gladly pay the money to ensure my kids were educated about the marine environment rather than letting them run wild and turn into delinquents!”
by Bentley, Plymouth
Friday, November 07 2008, 5:38PM
“I think they do a great job and deserve more support! Im sorry its had to come to this and hope they can go from strength to strength in the future.”
by Jo, Plymouth
Friday, November 07 2008, 5:21PM
“How cqan they make these staff reundant yet have enough money in the coffers to offer free scuba diving courses to local tombstoners? Makes no sense at all!”
by Ms_Anthrope, Mannamead
Friday, November 07 2008, 3:53PM
“It's £11 to get in which is way too much. You can get a year's family membership for £40 but most visitors will probably only go once so that's no good for them. If they made it a fiver to get in they might get 3 visitors for each 1 who is prepared to pay £11 and then they would make more money and people would spend more in the cafe and shop. It would be a shame to lose the aquarium but they need to accept that it's better to lose a thruppeny bit than a fiver and cut prices. Sorry I've got nothing stupid to say at the moment but I just can't think of anything silly.”
by The Enforcer, Out & About
Friday, November 07 2008, 1:06PM
“Meant to say last time; Eberneezer, another Gem, keep posting.
Robroy, going by the few anglers I know, the fish would be perfectly safe as they always seem to catch SFA.”
by Disappointed, Stoke
Friday, November 07 2008, 1:04PM
“Having been a regular to the aquarium since i was small both when it was near the citadel and in its new site.We visited this summer with our son and his family and boy what a sad visit we had.So many empty or near empty tanks and a general feeling of somewhere left to flounder(no pun intended)< A shake up is needed if the place is to survive and thrive lets hope this happens.Wewon't be going back in a hurry what a shame after 45 years of enjoyment looking at our marine life that my grandsons first visit was not enjoyable”