Industrial heritage site open after bug

A MAJOR National Trust attraction has re-opened after staff fell ill with a suspected ‘winter vomiting’ outbreak.

Quarry Bank in Cheshire, an industrial heritage site, has undergone a £9.3m revamp with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

But on Saturday, Quarry Bank Mill, a key part of the huge estate, was shut early and visitors were asked to leave. Several staff were taken ill with sickness and diarrhoea.

The National Trust said: “Due to a high level of staff illness we made the decision to close Quarry Bank as a precaution and we have been working with partners including the local environmental health officer to investigate.

“We have carried out a specialist clean as an extra precautionary measure.”

One source said scores of volunteers who could have taken their place were ordered not to visit the complex.

Hundreds of people regularly visit the attraction.

Public Health England has launched an investigation. A spokesman said tests had indicated it was Norovirus, also known as ‘winter vomiting bug’, but confirmation was still awaited.

In a statement PHE said: “PHE North West’s Cheshire and Merseyside health protection team and Cheshire East council are investigating an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting linked to Quarry Bank in Cheshire.

“We are aware of an illness reported by a number of National Trust employees.”