Stephen Williams MP backs @Bristol Science Centre

5.24.28pm GMT Thu 8th Feb 2007

Lib Dem MP for Bristol West, Stephen Williams has stressed the importance of the @Bristol Science Centre for inspiring Bristol's young people. The move follows the announcement that the Wildwalk and IMax parts of @Bristol are to close, which management have blamed on a lack of government funding.

Stephen Williams said "Clearly teaching science is vital. Maybe there is a case for Department of Culture Media and Sport and the Department for Education to have a look at these science centres and make sure they continue in business. It is a great shame that it has come to this. IMax has not quite taken off in the way people thought it would. One problem I thought with the nature walk is that once you have walked around it once or twice, there is not much reason to go back around it. They are therefore not getting repeat customers. Obviously this site is right in the middle of the harbourside and, if they close, an alternative use has to be found for those buildings fast."