THE company which owns Ellesmere Port's Blue Planet Aquarium put in an 'admirable' performance during the six months up to April 30, according to its chairman.
Highlights from the latest financial report for Deep-Sea Leisure include a pre-tax loss being whittled down to just £22,800, compared to the corresponding period of 2002, and a 2.4% hike in turnover from £2.39m to £2.45m.
In his report for the previous financial period, company chairman Richard Golding said the emphasis this year would on be persuading fewer visitors to Blue Planet and its sister-attraction in Scotland to spend more.
And the latest figures show this policy has proved successful.
Because despite a decline in the number of visitors - from 265,599 to 229,562 - spending per head was up 18% on the year, from £8.99 to £10.66.
Mr Golding says the reduced number of visitors during the period reflects both the 'general poor economic climate' and the reduced number of discounted tickets distributed by the company.
He adds: 'The summer season has started slower than expected, primarily due to good weather this year, which benefits open-air attractions, compared to bad weather in 2002, which was good for the aquariums and other indoor attractions.
'As a leisure attraction we are not alone in experiencing a reduced number of visitors. However, the strategic initiatives we have implemented will help protect Deep-Sea Leisure as we move forward.
'We are therefore cautiously optimistic that the full year will see a satisfactory outcome.'
Mr Golding and fellow board members believe profitable turnover growth can be achieved through a targeted and co-ordinated marketing campaign.
