Opening hours extended at museums and art galleries

The cash boost means that some of the most popular venues in the city, which had their opening hours reduced earlier this year owing to budget cuts of 12 per cent, are to open their doors for longer from Friday, July 1.

Talks have been under way between the new Labour administration at Sheffield Council and Museums Sheffield, in order to find the funding to keep three venues – Millennium Gallery, Weston Park and Graves Gallery – open for longer after Museums Sheffield had its grant for this financial year cut by £279,000.

It has now been announced that, between them, the three galleries will be open for 30 extra hours a week at a cost of £80,000 a year.

One of the biggest changes is to Graves Gallery – which was once threatened with closure – and will now be open an extra day, on Wednesdays,.

Coun Julie Dore, leader of Sheffield Council, said: “This is great news for the city and for those people, across all generations, who love to visit our wonderful museums and art galleries.

“Restoring opening hours to these venues is a priority for the council and we have worked hard with Museums Sheffield to find realistic ways to extend opening hours at a prudent and well-managed cost so they can continue to be enjoyed and help inspire and educate all who visit them.

“I, for one, am delighted that we have been able to find a solution that will help support these city assets for the foreseeable future.”

Nick Dodd, chief executive of Museums Sheffield, added: “I am delighted and grateful that the new administration has been able to fulfil its pledge to increase our opening hours.

“This will have a direct benefit for families, schools and the people of Sheffield, 1.25 million of whom visited us last year.

“It will also enhance the city’s tourist economy. We look forward to implementing the changes from July 1.”