Historic Quay visitors face price rise

The HMS Trincomalee is one of the attractions at the Historic Quay

Some visitors to a Teesside attraction are facing a rise in admission prices.

A range of new charges for Hartlepool's Historic Quay will be introduced in 2004.

Some, like the main adult fee and winter rates for residents will stay the same, but others will rise by up to 22%.

Hartlepool Council has defended the move saying it is only the second price increase since the Historic Quay opened nine years ago.

Council head of recreation Oliver Sherratt said: "We are basing the review on all sorts of things.

"We have gone out and had a look at what other museums and attractions are also charging. And we have realised in some areas perhaps there is scope to increase.

"We have also done quite a bit of market research as well."

Oldest warship

Mr Sherratt said there were plans to plough much of the money raised from the increased charges back into the Historic Quay.

Among the changes are the price for concessions will go up from £2.75 to £3 and a family ticket, which is for two adults and three children, will go up from £14.50 to £15.

The attraction also offers a range of 'Quay cards' which give holders entry to the attraction as many times as they want during the year.

The family 'Quay card' will go up from £22 to £25, from £9 to £10 for adults and from £4.50 to £5.50 for concessions.

The council's cultural, heritage and grants officer, John Mennear, said they had not just brought in a percentage rise across the board but looked at a range of pricing.

The Historic Quay is a reproduction of an 18th Century seaport and aims to show visitors what life was like at the time of Nelson and Trafalgar.

It is home to Britain's oldest warship afloat, HMS Trincomalee.