A review of Shrewsbury Museums Service could mean the dispersal of collections, including significant archaeological material, dating to the 15th century.
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council started a review of the service in July. Although there are three museums within the service, it is the future of the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery that is in question. An interim report is expected sometime this month.
The council is concerned about its total revenue budget over the next three years. It has promised to keep the increase on council tax below 2.8 per cent, which has meant cuts must be made elsewhere.
Geraint Morgan, the director of community services, said that he has been asked to consider several possibilities. They are: should the council continue running the museum; should the town's Tourist Information Centre (TIC) be located within the museum and the building be used as a tourist attraction, rather than a museum; or should the TIC be merged with the museum.
The museum, with its 166,000 objects, is the main repository for the Viroconium excavations. It also has a large paintings and prints collection, stone and metal work, and natural and social history artefacts. It receives a yearly council grant of £500,000.
A recent Mori household survey showed that public satisfaction in the museums service fell from 55 to 47 per cent between 2000 and 2004. Morgan said: 'The review is in respect of making the product [the museum service] better and linking it to visitor attractions.'
Celia Bahrami, the assistant chief executive of the council, said: 'The museum building may be picturesque and charming but it has its limitations.' She said the listed building is expensive to run - currently costing in the region of £38,000 a year - and has accessibility issues.
Peter Boyd, the collections manager, said the museum has developed new audiences through contemporary art exhibitions in two special galleries on the ground floor. These would go should the TIC be brought into building.
Mary White, the museums manager, said: 'We are trying to see this as an opportunity, not as a threat, and to assist the council to make an informed strategic decision about the future of the museum service.
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council started a review of the service in July. Although there are three museums within the service, it is the future of the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery that is in question. An interim report is expected sometime this month.
The council is concerned about its total revenue budget over the next three years. It has promised to keep the increase on council tax below 2.8 per cent, which has meant cuts must be made elsewhere.
Geraint Morgan, the director of community services, said that he has been asked to consider several possibilities. They are: should the council continue running the museum; should the town's Tourist Information Centre (TIC) be located within the museum and the building be used as a tourist attraction, rather than a museum; or should the TIC be merged with the museum.
The museum, with its 166,000 objects, is the main repository for the Viroconium excavations. It also has a large paintings and prints collection, stone and metal work, and natural and social history artefacts. It receives a yearly council grant of £500,000.
A recent Mori household survey showed that public satisfaction in the museums service fell from 55 to 47 per cent between 2000 and 2004. Morgan said: 'The review is in respect of making the product [the museum service] better and linking it to visitor attractions.'
Celia Bahrami, the assistant chief executive of the council, said: 'The museum building may be picturesque and charming but it has its limitations.' She said the listed building is expensive to run - currently costing in the region of £38,000 a year - and has accessibility issues.
Peter Boyd, the collections manager, said the museum has developed new audiences through contemporary art exhibitions in two special galleries on the ground floor. These would go should the TIC be brought into building.
Mary White, the museums manager, said: 'We are trying to see this as an opportunity, not as a threat, and to assist the council to make an informed strategic decision about the future of the museum service.
