The future of one of Oxfordshire's much-loved museums is in doubt because of financial uncertainty.
Cogges Manor Farm Museum, a working Victorian farm and museum in Witney that opens from April to October, is under pressure from the county council to become less reliant on subsidies or face closure.
County heritage and arts officer Martyn Brown said the council was under increasing financial pressure from Oxfordshire's ageing population, which requires greater investment in care facilities, and therefore could not afford to keep heavily subsidising the cost of running Cogges.
"The council is questioning very seriously the expenditure on Cogges, which currently costs £230,000 a year to operate," said Brown.
"The council would like to continue to provide its museum on the site, but is challenging us to find ways of providing that museum at a significantly reduced cost or, ideally, at no cost to the council-tax payers of Oxfordshire."
The fact that the museum makes a loss is not unusual; the cabinet member responsible for the museum, councillor Jim Couchman, said the council also subsidised Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock, although not to the same extent as Cogges.
Couchman estimated that the council contributed £9 for every visitor to Cogges, compared with £3 at the Oxfordshire Museum.
When a leaked document revealed the threat to Cogges, there was a public outcry, which prompted Oxfordshire County Council to look at options other than simply closing the attraction.
"It is very early days, but a suggestion is that it will be subsidised for the next year, during which time the trustees and officers concerned will have to come up with a strategic plan for generating income," said Couchman.
Among the options being considered to boost the museum's finances are leasing the site and the museum to external operators, such as film crews, and working with partners who will bring in more commercial expertise.
The issue will be discussed at a cabinet meeting this month. A final decision on Cogges' future will be made at a full county council meeting next month.
Jo Bailey, communications and resources director at MLA South East, said: "We regret that financial pressures have forced Oxfordshire County Council to consider this difficult decision.
"We trust that full consideration will be given to future care and access to the museum's holdings and look forward to working with Oxfordshire County Council to explore options."
Sian Thatcher
Cogges Manor Farm Museum, a working Victorian farm and museum in Witney that opens from April to October, is under pressure from the county council to become less reliant on subsidies or face closure.
County heritage and arts officer Martyn Brown said the council was under increasing financial pressure from Oxfordshire's ageing population, which requires greater investment in care facilities, and therefore could not afford to keep heavily subsidising the cost of running Cogges.
"The council is questioning very seriously the expenditure on Cogges, which currently costs £230,000 a year to operate," said Brown.
"The council would like to continue to provide its museum on the site, but is challenging us to find ways of providing that museum at a significantly reduced cost or, ideally, at no cost to the council-tax payers of Oxfordshire."
The fact that the museum makes a loss is not unusual; the cabinet member responsible for the museum, councillor Jim Couchman, said the council also subsidised Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock, although not to the same extent as Cogges.
Couchman estimated that the council contributed £9 for every visitor to Cogges, compared with £3 at the Oxfordshire Museum.
When a leaked document revealed the threat to Cogges, there was a public outcry, which prompted Oxfordshire County Council to look at options other than simply closing the attraction.
"It is very early days, but a suggestion is that it will be subsidised for the next year, during which time the trustees and officers concerned will have to come up with a strategic plan for generating income," said Couchman.
Among the options being considered to boost the museum's finances are leasing the site and the museum to external operators, such as film crews, and working with partners who will bring in more commercial expertise.
The issue will be discussed at a cabinet meeting this month. A final decision on Cogges' future will be made at a full county council meeting next month.
Jo Bailey, communications and resources director at MLA South East, said: "We regret that financial pressures have forced Oxfordshire County Council to consider this difficult decision.
"We trust that full consideration will be given to future care and access to the museum's holdings and look forward to working with Oxfordshire County Council to explore options."
Sian Thatcher
