New chief vows to boost visitors to science centre

Published on Friday 8 November 2002 00:00

THE new chief executive of the troubled Glasgow Science Centre has pledged to make it a "must see", fun attraction.

Brian Weddell, who takes over in ten days’ time, said his priority was to increase awareness of the Pacific Quay complex to boost visitors.

Mr Weddell, 50, the chief executive of the Royal Artillery Museum in London, also pledged that the science centre would receive an "adrenaline shot" every two years to refresh exhibits and increase repeat visits.

The centre, which announced Mr Weddell’s 65,000 appointment yesterday, underlined its determination for the move to be a turning point following its mixed fortunes since opening in June last year.

Despite winning awards and critical acclaim, the attraction was forced to make 15 staff redundant in July because of debts and disappointing visitor numbers, which followed the resignation of Paul Smith as chief executive.

The centre’s tower, plagued with faults, will remain closed well into next year.

The ScottishPower Space Theatre, its planetarium, has attracted 90,000 people since it opened in February. Its Science Show Theatre has also yet to open.

Sir Graeme Davies, the new trustees’ board chairman, said of Mr Weddell’s appointment: "This is a big signal that the science centre has moved from a development phase to an operational phase. The future is about building on very secure foundations."

Sir Graeme said Mr Weddell would continue the work done by Tom Merchant, the interim chief executive, but he did not refer to Mr Smith.

The chairman described last month’s 42,000 admissions to the centre as "excellent" although he expected things to numbers to fall again this month before picking up around Christmas. A total of 650,000 people have visited the attraction.

Sir Graeme, who is also the principal of Glasgow University, admitted the centre still had an operating deficit, but its capital overspend was now "largely under control".

Mr Weddell said he had helped turn around several other attractions that had received major lottery funding through the Millennium Commission but whose development did not go according to plan. The commission gave 35 million to the centre.

Those other projects included the second phase of the Earth Centre in Doncaster, which Mr Weddell said had an identity crisis, and a museum and park at Maidstone in Kent.

Mr Weddell, an architect by profession, said putting the science centre on the map was vital. He said: "People need to recognise that this is a fantastic asset. We need to work on awareness levels."

"I want to inject an adrenaline shot every couple of years so there is always something new to see."

Mr Weddell said he also hoped to boost staff morale: "If you have gone through a traumatic period, you need to introduce an enjoyment factor at all levels."

Sir Graeme said a solution had been found for the tower’s faults, but it would not re-open until at least late January. A failed bearing in the 10 million structure’s conical base, which caused it to sink by half an inch, will have to be replaced.

The tower has remained closed since February because of the fault, after being shut for most of last year with lift problems.

Sir Graeme admitted a contractual wrangle over liability for the bearing fault, which is believed to have delayed repairs for months, had still to be resolved, but it would not prevent work going ahead.

Sir Graeme, who will serve as chairman for three years, succeeds George Bennett.