Minister lifts closure threat on York and Bradford museums

The London-based Science Museums Group had said it might close one of the museums because of budget cuts.

But today Mr Vaizey said there was “no question” of them closing.

Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry had also been under threat after the group, which also runs the Science Museum in London, had expressed concerns about the viability of keeping all of its museums open if it faced a 10% cut in the government’s comprehensive spending review.

Mr Vaizey said: “They asserted if there was a certain level of cuts they would have to look at closing one. They are not going to receive those level of cuts so there is no reason why any of these museums should close.

“Let’s not beat about the bush - they won’t close.”

Last week it was reported the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Treasury had agreed the department’s spending would be cut by 8% for 2015-16. Arts and museums would share less of the burden with a 5% reduction.

Mr Vaizey’s comments come after MPs hailed a “hugely positive” meeting with him over the closure threat.

Bradford West’s Respect MP George Galloway said the museum was “safe” following private talks between Mr Vaizey and MPs from the city.

“What a campaign and what a result,” Mr Galloway said. “The Minister said: ‘Tell the people of Bradford the museum is safe’.”

Other MPs were more cautious.

“Nothing has been resolved,” said Shipley Tory MP Philip Davies. “But the talk was much more about how we turn it into a thriving success than about closure.”

“The Minister was hugely positive,” said Bradford East Lib Dem MP David Ward. “He described closure as being unacceptable.”

Yesterday nearly 30 business leaders and other key figures in York wrote to Ministers warning any closure would have a “devastating” impact. The letter, signed by leading lights including Kersten England, chief executive of York Council and Brian Cantor, vice-chancellor of the University, said the North’s national museums should be given
the same protection as those in London, where any major museum closure would be “unthinkable”.