A voluntary group supporting Leeds’ museums and heritage has called on Leeds City Council to reconsider ‘misguided’ proposals to close Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall.
Members of the Friends of Leeds City Museums group spoke against the closure as they addressed all 99 city councillors at a full council meeting at Leeds Civic Hall this afternoon (Wednesday, 15 January).
The deputation acknowledged the financial pressures on the council in making budget cuts, but said the proposed closure would “cost more than is saved’.
John Luxton, chair of the Friends of Leeds City Museums, said:”There is no doubt that the city council – through no fault of its own – is in a dire financial situation.
“We believe closing our much-loved Abbey House Museum to save a mere £160,000 is misguided and will cost more than is saved.”
Mr Luxton said the museum had won rave reviews win Trip Advisor. He pointed to the £1.6 million in Arts Council grants Leeds received to help sustain its museums, and suggested following the closure of Thwaite Mills last year that grants could be reduced in future years. Accessible toilet facilities have only recently been installed at the museum.
The Friends of Leeds City Museums offered to pay for better marketing of Kirkstall Abbey and the museum in Leeds and beyond, but said their offer had so far been refused.
Mr Luxton added: “Abbey House Museum is not only a much-loved facility in this centenary year, and the council should take the opportunity too let the world know what a gem there is to see here in Leeds., thereby encouraging visitors to spend money in museums and the city.”
Mr Luxton was joined in the deputation by honorary aldermen Brian Selby, Elizabeth Nash and former Kirkstall councillor and honorary alderman Liz Minkin.
Leeds City Council will issue a response to the deputation at a future date.
Leeds City Council has launched a public consultation into the proposal to close the museum. It runs until 23 January 2025 and feedback can be completed here. An online petition against the closure has so far attracted almost 4,500 signatures.
The local authority is proposing to close Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall as it faces an unprecedented strain on its finances.
Job losses, service cuts, building closures and a council tax rise of almost five per cent are also being considered by the authority.
Latest figures show the council needs to save £106.4m during 2025/26 to avoid having it declare itself bankrupt. The Abbey House Museum closure could save £160,000.
The council faces rising costs in services including adult social care, while central Government support of local authorities has been insufficient over the past 15 years.
Follow WLD‘s ongoing coverage of Abbey House Museum here.
WLD is following ongoing council cuts, closures and building sales in our Cutswatch series of articles.