BOSSES at a popular Weymouth tourist attraction are calling on the government to provide greater support to the leisure industry when lockdown restrictions are eased.

Weymouth SEA LIFE is calling on the government to allow them to reopen at the same time as non-essential retail when the national lockdown ends and it is safe to do so, unlike after the first national lockdown when non-essential retail reopened more than two weeks before the leisure industry.

The Weymouth attraction, which employs up to 70 people during the peak season, is also encouraging the government to keep the reduction in VAT for the tourism sector at five per cent, a tax cut which is due to end on March 31.

Tamsin Mutton-McKnight, general manager of Weymouth SEA LIFE, said: "We are fully behind the national effort to overcome Covid-19, but as the government begins the review of lockdown and looks to reopen the economy, we are calling for visitor attractions like Weymouth SEA LIFE and Pirate Adventure Golf to be treated the same as non-essential retail and when they are allowed to reopen we should be able to open as well.

"With our unique mix of amazing creatures, outdoor spaces and inspiring displays, our guests have always been able to spend quality time and create lasting memories with their loved ones at our attraction.

"We know it will be an invaluable benefit to these communities for us to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.

"We are also asking the government to keep the reduction in the VAT rate to five per cent and to extend the business rates holiday."

Weymouth SEA LIFE, which is home to the only colony of Fairy Penguins in Europe, as well as three Green Sea Turtles who sustained life-altering injuries in boat strikes off the coast of the United States, has put a number of Covid-secure measures in place for when they are able to reopen after the lockdown ends. These include pre-booking, temperature checks, social distancing and the wearing of masks by guests and team members.

Tamsin added: "Weymouth SEA LIFE is a proud member of the local community providing employment and boosting the local economy and we look forward to being able to welcome back our guests as soon as we are able to do so."