Down Council keen to see the Exploris business plan

Down Council keen to see the Exploris business plan

2 July 2014

DOWN Council is hoping to see the detail of a business case produced to keep the doors of Northern Ireland’s only aquarium in Portaferry open.

Local politicians want council officers to see the document produced on behalf of Ards Council which recommends a capital grant of £900,000 is required to carry out necessary improvement work at Exploris and place the leading tourist attraction on a sound business footing.

Calls for council officers to have access to the business plan — which is now with the Stormont Executive — were issued after members of the local authority’s Cultural and Economic Development Committee were addressed by members of the Friends of Exploris Trust on Monday night.

Down Council insists it will not interfere with the business of its neighbour in Ards, but wants to see what practical help it can provide in the campaign to keep Exploris open.

It was suggested on Monday night that tourism officers working on both sides of the lough should continue to liaise in a bid to maximise the visitor potential of both the Ards peninsula and Down District.

Down councillors are meeting with senior officials from the Department of Regional Development later this month 

and one of the issues due to be discussed will be special rates for people using the Strangford ferry crossing on their way to Exploris and other tourist attractions on both sides of the internationally acclaimed waterway.

Lady Eleanor Brown, who addressed Down councillors on Monday night on behalf of the Friends of Exploris Trust, said it aims to see the Portaferry aquarium achieve its true potential and remain in the public sector as a world class aquarium showcasing Strangford Lough’s internationally important marine diversity. She said the group firmly believes Exploris provides opportunities to further develop tourism in the area.

“Exploris is vital to the economy of Portaferry — listed among the top 10 most deprived rural areas in Northern Ireland — and to the Ards peninsula and Lecale. Ards Council figures state there will be up to 42 job losses if Exploris closes, with local businesses on both sides of Strangford Lough dependent on footfall to Exploris,” continued Lady Eleanor, suggesting the closure of the aquarium will also impact on the Strangford ferry service.

She described Exploris as an important facility for education and conservation, issuing a reminder that Stormont Environment Minister Mark Durkan is already committed to financing the running costs of the aquarium’s seal sanctuary.

“Ards Council has invested in a business case for Exploris and while guaranteed the running costs for the seal sanctuary, it needs a one-off capital sum for renovations from the Northern Ireland Executive. In the meantime, equality screening and an equality impact assessment are being carried out with a view to the potential closure of the facility,” she explained.

She said Friends of Exploris believe that with a new funding programme for coastal areas being launched next year, Down and Ards councils could work together on joint funding applications. She pointed to multiple marine renewable energy projects in Strangford Lough and the surrounding area, with Exploris poised to showcase these.

Lady Eleanor added: “With Queen’s University and other agencies, Exploris could become a centre to bring research and innovation to the public. The people of Northern Ireland see a bright future for Exploris; a vibrant, dynamic aquarium showcasing our amazing, natural resources. They see a renovated facility marketed both regionally and internationally. Exploris is not just for the Ards, it’s for everyone.”

Councillor Stephen Burns said Down Council is trying to work in a respectful manner with Ards Council, suggesting that if the Stormont Executive has seen the Exploris business case, Down Council should also see the document.

He said local politicians cannot support the detail and recommendations in a business case they have not seen.

Council chief executive, Mr. John Dumigan, described Exploris as an “important facility” as it draws people to the Strangford side of the lough to visit many areas in Down District. Likewise, he said people visiting the district also make their way to the Ards peninsula.

“It’s important both Down and Ards councils continue to work together to promote what attractions and activities we both have to offer. Exploris is unique and is the only facility of its kind in Northern Ireland. It’s important Down and Ards councils try and retain this facility.”