Luke Pollard, the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, has today officially re-opened the National Marine Aquarium.

The National Marine Aquarium on Sutton Harbours was forced to close due to the Coronavirus lockdown. However, it was not allowed to re-open alongside other attractions such as zoos as the government eased restrictions, and there was no financial support offered for its extensive overheads.

Luke Pollard, who represents the area the Aquarium is in, had been campaigning for government guidance around aquariums, to match the guidance offered to zoos. He wanted to see the Aquarium allowed to reopen, with the appropriate social distancing measures in place.

Last month the Living Coasts attraction in Torquay was forced to close, due to a lack of income.

Luke Pollard MP said:

“This morning I had the privilege of reopening the National Marine Aquarium, which had been closed because of the lockdown. It is brilliant to see this incredible attraction reopen, giving people in Plymouth the opportunity to see all of the wonderful fish and wildlife, with the appropriate social distancing measures in place.

“Plymouth has a lot to be proud of here in this Aquarium, so I am pleased it has been able to survive through the lockdown, and welcome visitors once again, after I pushed the government to update their guidance. We all have an extra responsibility to support these attractions and their amazing conservation work.

“Now more than ever, we need organisations like the National Marine Aquarium providing jobs to the people of Plymouth, and in the tourist industry surrounding it. But we need to see the government do more to protect jobs, especially in light of the incoming recession.”

You can book tickets to visit the National Marine Aquarium at their website:

https://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/visit-us/ticket-prices-and-types/