Several local authority museums are bringing in entry charges following budget cuts. Stoke-on-Trent City Council plans to charge adults £2.50 to visit the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery from June, unless an experiment seeking voluntary donations proves successful.
Judith Kirk, assistant director for neighbourhood, engagement and partnerships at Stoke, said: “So far, we have raised just over £5,000 [in voluntary donations] in two months and, if that level increases slightly, we would be able to delay charging.
“If it falls, however, we wouldn’t be able to budget for running the museum without the additional income from an entrance fee.”
The museum’s Friends organisation is campaigning against the charge. Peter Vigurs, a member of the Friends, said: “The longer we can stave off having to do this, the better. We would expect to lose at least 40% of our visitors if the charge comes in.”
As Museums Journal went to press, Bournemouth Borough Council was voting on proposals to introduce a charge at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. Councillor Philip Stanley Watts said: “Charging is inevitable, but it should be a nominal amount.”
Birmingham City Council has already introduced a £4 admission charge at Aston Hall, Blakesley Hall and Soho House, and a £3 charge at Sarehole Mill in Hall Green. Gloucester City Council has introduced a £3 fee that allows adults entrance to the City Museum and Art Gallery and Gloucester Folk Museum.
The National Maritime Museum in London introduced a £10 charge in March for entrance to the Meridian Line and Flamsteed House galleries around the courtyard.
National Museums Scotland has introduced charges for children over the age of five of £2 at the National Museum of Costume, £3 at the Museum of Rural Life and £4 at the National Museum of Flight.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro, which was considering introducing charges, said the museum would not be charging this year or next, but that it is one of many options for generating income in the future.
The Museums Association is carrying out a survey into the impact of funding cuts on museums across the country.
Click here to take part in the survey
