Hastings attraction undergoing major revamp

Blue Reef Aquarium is temporarily rehoming more than 350 marine animals as part of the work, set to last 12 weeks.

Leisure operators Aspro Parks, which own Blue Reef, are also installing a new ocean tank to house a new mystery animal to be unveiled when the attraction reopens.

As part of the work the existing ocean tank is being rebuilt and remodelled.

The tank currently holds 133,000 litres of water, complete with underwater viewing gallery, and is home to more than 350 marine animals, which include two blacktip sharks, pufferfish and triggerfish from the South Pacific.

A spokesman for Blue Reef Aquarium said: “It’s all hands on deck on site with the entire Blue Reef Hastings staff working overtime in order to complete the project on time.

“Everyone from the aquarists to maintenance, catering, and marketing staff are strapping on their hard hats, picking up a shovel and getting to work breaking up the existing tank and all of its fittings, shifting up to 25 tons of rubble, then excavating and preparing the site before specialist contractors step in to begin the remodelling work.

“The project is also being documented from beginning to end by a film crew. The fly-on-the-wall web-series, Blue Reef Aquarium: A Fishy Business, has launched on the Aquarium’s Youtube channel.

“The company are also in talks with TV development producers with a view to piloting the show for the small screen.”

David Nott, general manager at the Blue Reef Aquarium, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be moving ahead with our redevelopment work. It’s a massive boost for the venue, our membership and for the local tourism industry in general.”

Work is expected to complete for a spring 2021 reopening.

* Got a story? Ring reporters Richard Gladstone on 07803 505794 or Stephen Wynn-Davies on 07393 754494.

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