Businessmen warn of implications of closing centre

Businessmen warn of implications of closing centre

9 October 2013

BUSINESS owners Kevin Og Kearney and Shane O’Hare say Exploris plays a vital role in attracting visitors to Strangford and Portaferry.

Mr. Kearney, who benefits from people visiting the aquarium, especially during the summer season, said he is “acutely aware” of the impact closing Exploris will have in Portaferry. But he said such a decision would also be felt in Strangford.

“Some of the people who work in Exploris live in Strangford which helps the economy on this side of the lough. The aquarium draws people to this village and everyone in Strangford recognises the need for Exploris to remain open,” he continued.

“Exploris plays a key role educating people about marine life and Strangford Lough and we cannot afford to lose this asset. People in Strangford are very concerned about what happens in Portaferry and are fully behind the major campaign to keep the aquarium open.”

Mr. Kearney said with the focus on developing tourism, Exploris has a vital role to play in attracting even more visitors to Strangford and Portaferry.

Mr. Shane O’Hare, of Strangford Pharmacy, said many businesses either side of the lough depend upon Exploris.

He continued: “Exploris is a wonderful amenity and is perfectly positioned. It is up and running and if you were to start trying to set something like that off the ground now it would probably never happen.

“The fact is, Exploris is open for business and it must stay that way. It is a wonderful attraction, but is also a vital educational resource. The aquarium is a brilliant place to take kids and is relatively inexpensive to visit.”

Mr. O’Hare described the aquarium as a “wonderful, social, tourist amenity” and is a facility which should be enhanced and developed, not closed.

He added: “There is a drive promote tourism and Exploris should be at the heart of that. The aquarium already plays a vital role in attracting tens of thousands of visitors and must remain open. Portaferry and Strangford both need it.”