KIND GESTURE TO LAY NEW
FLOOR FREE OF CHARGE
A HULL company has stepped in to help The Deep as it struggles with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The city aquarium has been hit hard by the lockdown, with almost all its usual revenue coming from visitors.
Needing £6,500 a day to care for the 3,500 creatures at the attraction, The Deep’s appeal for support was heard by Lasercroft, the firm that laid the original flooring at the aquarium for its opening in 2002.
James Carmichael, director at the Hedon Road business, said: “Like many businesses in our close-knit community, we felt the effects of the lockdown and wanted to help others.
“In conjunction with our supplier, Resdev, we volunteered to lay a new resin floor in one of The Deep’s high-traffic areas and to carry out some free repairs in the aquarium’s quarantine area and plant room.”
Ben Jones, The Deep’s curator, said: “In addition to being a popular tourist attraction, The Deep is an international player in marine conservation, working on pioneering research schemes to protect the future of our oceans. “Thanks to Lasercroft and Resdev’s generosity in replacing the floor and carrying out repairs free of charge, we have been able to use what it would have cost to help with daily running costs and a contribution to conservation work, both of which have been hard hit by our closure.”
The Deep’s aquarist James Denman thanked Lasercroft for its generosity, saying the new flooring looked “amazing”.
“It’s a job that probably would never have got done and we really appreciate it,” he said.
Lasercroft was founded in 1997 and employs 18 local people. It has access to premium industrial flooring products, including Resdev’s Terrazzo resin that was laid at The Deep in 2002 and includes a bespoke starfish design. Lasercroft uses its experienced team to lay industrial floors for Hull and the East Riding businesses including Cranswick, Ideal Boilers, Crown Paints, Houlton and Hobson and Porter.
The team at Lasercroft also support local charities Dove House Hospice, Hedon Rangers FC and PAUL for Brain Recovery.
We have been able to use what it would have cost to help with daily running costs and a contribution to conservation work
Ben Jones