Charges could be introduced at museum saved from the chop

Senior councillors in Kirklees will meet next week to discuss introducing the charges - which officers warn could lead to a reduction in visitor numbers - but will help to safeguard the future of Red House Museum, in Gomersal.

There was a public outcry, together with criticism, from a number of quarters including the world-renowned Brontë Society which declared closure proposals for the museum to be “an act of vandalism on the local tourist industry.”

Red House was once the home of Mary Taylor, a close friend of Charlotte Brontë.

The plan was originally part of proposed savings to meet budget shortfalls.

But after an outcry it was announced there would be a rethink on Red House with Coun Mehboob Khan, the leader of Kirklees Council earlier saying: “We have proposed to save Red House Museum – it is an important part of our history and we want to look at more innovative ways of generating the income needed to keep it running, or look at how we might make the saving elsewhere.”

The local authority needs to reduce its overall budget by £64m. Members of the council meet to discuss its budget today.

If the budget is agreed members of the council’s cabinet committee are due to meet next week to discuss whether to back proposals to introduce charges at Red House for a trial period.

A report to committee members says: “Following proposals to close Red House as part of the 2012/13 budget, members have expressed a wish to develop a package of options to increase income to the Museums Service to achieve the budget reduction instead of closing Red House.

“One part of that income generation could be achieved by introducing, for a trial period, charging for admission to Red House. This paper sets out a proposal for introducing the charging from April 2012 to allow for evaluation of the success of the trial before the next budget process.

“Officers will also be developing other measures to increase income.”

It is proposed that adults will pay £3.50, children £1.50 and a family ticket will be available for £8.50. Season tickets will also be available, allowing visitors to make unlimited return visits to the site as well as Oakwell Hall.

The report to the cabinet committee, which meets on Tuesday, adds: “Red House Museum attracted 28,602 visitors in 2010/11. It has a high ratio of adult visitors who comprise 70% of the audience. Its Brontë connections help to draw tourists and day visitors as well as local visitors.

“Red House is therefore relatively well placed to accommodate admission charges given the profile of its visitors and the wider interest generated by its Brontë connections.”

“Admission charges will impact on visitor numbers and make visiting less affordable for low income households, although this will be mitigated by concessions for Kirklees Passport Holders. It is estimated that the initial reduction in visitor numbers could be around 30% or 6,000 visitors but will yield income of around £20,000.

“It should be noted that opening hours are also scheduled for reduction from autumn 2012 as part of the councils Medium Term Financial Plan and this will also reduce visits to the site,” the report adds.

Council officers also say that discussions are underway to create a Friends organisation for the museum which can work in the interests of the site and help support its work.

Charlotte Brontë is known to have been a regular visitor to Red House. She also featured the home in her novel Shirley.

Built in 1660, Red House was home to a family of cloth merchants and manufacturers.

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