Suzanne Savill: Isn't it fishy that Blue Reef in Bristol is charging more?
Nearly fifty quid? To see some fish? For a moment I must have looked a bit like a goldfish, as my mouth opened and shut in astonishment after hearing the admission fees for Bristol's new Blue Reef Aquarium.
A single adult ticket costs £13.50, a child ticket costs £9.20, and a family ticket costs £43.40.
Add on the price of getting into the city centre by bus or train – or by car and paying for parking – and the total cost of visiting the city's latest attraction comes closer to £50.
And that's before you've bought anything from the cafe, or the souvenir shop.
Is it a bit, ahem, fishy that Blue Reef in Bristol is charging more than it does at its four other aquariums in the UK?
The company insists not, pointing out that the aquarium which will open in Bristol on Friday is four times the size of the one in Hastings.
To be fair, there are also all sorts of overheads, from staff wages to cleaning out the tanks.
I have particular sympathy when it comes to the latter, as I vividly recall the nausea-inducing, time-consuming performance involved when my boys had a mere couple of pet goldfish.
Yes, building, staffing and maintaining a massive aquarium doesn't come cheap, and cleaning out fish isn't pleasant.
But even so, £43.40 for a family ticket?
The national average wage is £24,000 a year. Take off tax and that's just over £18,000 a year, or £355 net per week. Or to bring it down to basics, just over £50 a day.
Even if the admission fee is good value, some parents could find it hard to part with most of a day's taxed income to see some fish, even if they are rare species in a magnificent aquarium with four tunnels.
True, the price includes seeing nature films at the IMAX cinema, but I'd rather have the option of paying less and not seeing the films.
It could, of course, be argued that I don't need to complain about admission costs to Blue Reef or anywhere else for that matter.
There's a simple option for anyone who objects to what they consider to be high admission charges. Don't go.
But having seen the spectacular photos of Blue Reef in the Evening Post this week, I want to see it for myself – which is why I'm getting bothered about the price.
So it may mean one of those single been-there-done-that visits.
We did that at the loss-making Wildwalk, which previously occupied the building in Anchor Road that is home to Blue Reef.
The price wasn't the problem as a family ticket was around £20.
However, after trailing around in steamy heat trying to spot any wildlife, we didn't feel any desire to become regular visitors.
By contrast, there looks like being lots to see and do at Blue Reef.
Unfortunately, no matter how good it is, some could find a visit – or return trips – unaffordable.
13 Comments
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by Ruth, Bishopston
Sunday, December 13 2009, 12:26PM
“We turned up to go in the other day (two adults and one young child) and we were gobsmaked at the admission prices. WAY too much. No way will I pay all that for something that would have lasted about an hour tops with a young child (not old enough to sit through a film). They should definitely at least separate the IMAX and aquarium prices or it won't be long before they go bust due to lack of visitors. As people have said, it's more expensive than the zoo and the zoo is a full day out with a lot more to see and do.”
by John, Frenchay
Friday, November 20 2009, 1:21PM
“Don't forget, included in the price is a film at the IMAX cinema. I think it is unfair to write the attraction off just because you think it's a little pricey before they've even been given a fair go. At least from today we will be able to look for feedback from the paying public on how good or bad it is.”
by tracy, bristol
Friday, November 20 2009, 3:10AM
“We've been to the aquariums at London, Plymouth, Newquay and Chessington. To be honest there all pretty much the same. But the bristol prices are rediculous. As is the @Bristol, it really is a one visit, been there don't need to do it again 'cause I can't afford it.
I'd visit the zoo rather than the blue reef.
Other good places to visit are Bristol Museum which is free and always has new exhibitions on (give a donation) and the SS Great Britain is pay once, get a ticket that lasts 12 months. There are many great days out for less money than the blue reef, which will only take about an hour or so to look round. These new attractions and even the posh shops of Cabot Circus are pricing the regular bristolians out of the city.”
by Bill McMaster, Clifton
Thursday, November 19 2009, 11:58AM
“What's your point Hannah?”
by The Hedgehog, Horfield
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 9:45PM
“Plenty of fish at the Zoo as well, Alex.”
by Alex, Redcliffe
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 9:36PM
“Prices for Bristol Zoo (without voluntary donation):
- Adult - £11.36
- Child - £7.04 (under 3yrs free)
- Family - £33.18
(2 adults, 2 children)
- Seniors & Students - £9.98
I know where I would rather go and it aint to see some fish swimming around!”
by hannah, bristol
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 7:17PM
“Opening Times
Open Daily from 10am
We are closed on Christmas Day only
Admission Prices
Adult £13.50
Child 3 - 14 years £9.20
(must be accompanied by an adult)
Seniors & Students £11.50
Family of 4 £43.40
(2 adults and 2 children)
got this fresh off the site, this must be right or they could be had for false advertising, but i suppose to settle this dispute we can always drop them a line!!!”
by The Hedgehog, Horfield
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 5:51PM
“From the horse's mouth:
We will be offering a membership for Bristol Blue Reef Aquarium. Our membership prices are as follows:
Adult: £40.00
Child: £27.50
Concession (Student/OAP's/Special Needs): £33.00
Family (1 adult & 2 children): £89.00
Family (2 adults & 2 children): £126.00
The first admission fee can be deducted from membership if you join there and then.
I did the research myself, which probably disqualifies me from being a journalist.”
by Annette, Fishponds
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 4:06PM
“Fifty squid? What a bunch of sharks. I bet the whole thing's a load of carp.”
by Liz, Bristol
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 3:41PM
“They won't re do their pricing once it has been set and the damage has already been done. Unless they are going to whip out lots of discount vouchers everywhere, this place won't last two years. It's too expensive. I would love to take my children but it's a price too high for me.”