National Museums Liverpool (NML) has confirmed the National Conservation Centre’s closure to the public, following cuts to its budget as part of the comprehensive spending review.
The centre shut its public-facing functions in December. An NML spokesman said up to six posts at the shop and cafe would be affected, although the building would still be used for its core function.
Efforts are being made to find staff other NML roles. A voluntary redundancy programme – the second since the summer – has also been opened.
The permanent display at the National Conservation Centre, Reveal: the Hidden Stories of Objects, will move to the city’s World Museum.
NML director David Fleming described the centre’s closure to the public after 14 years as “the harsh reality of government cuts”.
“We said a 15% reduction in our funding would have grave implications for us being able to maintain our world-class museums and galleries,” he added. “We are now seeing the impact in terms of a venue closure, following the loss of a number of posts through a voluntary severance scheme.”
NML has ruled out selling some of its collection, but plans for a Titanic gallery at Merseyside Maritime Museum are being scaled down because of cuts to funding agencies. Proposals to reopen the historic Canning Dock to the public have also been ditched.
