The Museums Association’s report into the effects of cuts in funding since 2010 makes for sober, but not surprising, reading. Many smaller branch museums have closed, some no doubt housed in historic buildings cherished by their communities.
The survey shows that the north of England is the area most affected, but a similar story can be found in the south-east. At Bexley Heritage Trust, in an outer London borough, we have started packing up and moving out of Danson House – a mansion in a much-loved park. The Queen opened the Grade I-listed Georgian villa in 2005, following its £8m restoration. Owned by Bexley Council and managed by Bexley Heritage Trust, the Palladian building has welcomed thousands of visitors and hosted hundreds of weddings.
But on 1 April, we hand the keys back to the council. My trustees took the difficult and controversial decision to step away from managing the historic house. We decided that with a 30% cut this year – £200,000 – to our council grant, there was no other option. It was a decision that had to be taken with the head, not the heart. In so doing, it means that we can focus our energies and reduced resources on the trust’s other site (which we also manage for the local authority), the Tudor-era mansion Hall Place and its gardens.
With councillors across England managing cuts from central government, I fear that similar tough decisions will have to be made. Bexley needs to find £34m in savings over the next three years. Some elected members kid themselves that introducing admission charges – or increasing them, if already in place – will offset a grant cut. We had to point out that the sums did not add up as we already charge.
Nor can you find new income streams overnight. We already generate 40% of our income. In addition to our big earners – weddings and the tea room – we charge schools, and rent space to a farmers’ market and commercial tenants.
We are now looking to do more, but the hard truth remains that even the most entrepreneurial organisation cannot absorb cuts on cuts.
In April, weddings will continue at Danson House, which will become Bexley’s registrar office. Maybe not what the then English Heritage had in mind when it was instrumental in rescuing what was the most at-risk house in London, but far better than putting up hoardings.
When the culture minister Ed Vaizey came to Danson House recently, he said that shutting such venues sends out the wrong message. But however enterprising you are, there comes a point where the sums won’t add up and something has to give.
In the future, we are going to have to find new and creative ways beyond the traditional visit to make sure the wider community can still enjoy collections and have access to historic properties.
The survey shows that the north of England is the area most affected, but a similar story can be found in the south-east. At Bexley Heritage Trust, in an outer London borough, we have started packing up and moving out of Danson House – a mansion in a much-loved park. The Queen opened the Grade I-listed Georgian villa in 2005, following its £8m restoration. Owned by Bexley Council and managed by Bexley Heritage Trust, the Palladian building has welcomed thousands of visitors and hosted hundreds of weddings.
But on 1 April, we hand the keys back to the council. My trustees took the difficult and controversial decision to step away from managing the historic house. We decided that with a 30% cut this year – £200,000 – to our council grant, there was no other option. It was a decision that had to be taken with the head, not the heart. In so doing, it means that we can focus our energies and reduced resources on the trust’s other site (which we also manage for the local authority), the Tudor-era mansion Hall Place and its gardens.
With councillors across England managing cuts from central government, I fear that similar tough decisions will have to be made. Bexley needs to find £34m in savings over the next three years. Some elected members kid themselves that introducing admission charges – or increasing them, if already in place – will offset a grant cut. We had to point out that the sums did not add up as we already charge.
Nor can you find new income streams overnight. We already generate 40% of our income. In addition to our big earners – weddings and the tea room – we charge schools, and rent space to a farmers’ market and commercial tenants.
We are now looking to do more, but the hard truth remains that even the most entrepreneurial organisation cannot absorb cuts on cuts.
In April, weddings will continue at Danson House, which will become Bexley’s registrar office. Maybe not what the then English Heritage had in mind when it was instrumental in rescuing what was the most at-risk house in London, but far better than putting up hoardings.
When the culture minister Ed Vaizey came to Danson House recently, he said that shutting such venues sends out the wrong message. But however enterprising you are, there comes a point where the sums won’t add up and something has to give.
In the future, we are going to have to find new and creative ways beyond the traditional visit to make sure the wider community can still enjoy collections and have access to historic properties.
