Rossendale museum could close within weeks

2:46pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News

ROSSENDALE Museum is to close at the end of the month - unless an 11th hour deal can be struck to save it.

A management agreement between Rossendale Council and Lancashire County Council expires on March 31, and no alternative provider has been found to run the Rawtenstall site.

The Whitaker Park museum currently opens to the public for 17.5 hours per week, and is managed by LCC’s museum service with an annual budget of £106,930.

Rossendale Council leader Alyson Barnes said that while discussions with the county council had failed, talks were ongoing with the Friends of Rossendale Museum and another unnamed organisation to keep the museum open.

Coun Barnes said: “The county council was not at all helpful, or flexible, during our negotiations over the last few months. We discussed agreeing a new three or six-month contract and they weren’t prepared to look at their costs.

“You would think they would understand better than most the impact of funding cuts on local authorities.

“It has always been our position that we don’t want to see the museum close, and I’m confident we’ll find a long-term conclusion. The county council may have to hand the keys back, but what we do with it is up to us.”

The museum’s three full-time staff will be re-assigned to other areas.

Officers from Rossendale Council and Ronald Howell, from the Friends of Rossendale Museum, were involved in a meeting yesterday afternoon regarding the museum’s future.

County council leader Geoff Driver said: “We're very disappointed with the borough’s decision to close this much-loved museum in Whitaker Park, although we recognise they are under significant financial pressure and must set their own priorities.

“Sadly, the matter is out of our hands and our first concern now must be to look to the future of our staff. I’m pleased to say we have already taken steps to find alternative jobs for all of them.”

LCC has managed Rossendale Museum on behalf of the borough council since 2004.

Comments (7)

5:35pm Wed 13 Mar 13

not taken in Rossendale says...

The museum belongs to Rossendale Borough Council and not the county council, so why are they saying it will close? Me thinks CC Driver is mischief making just before the county elections in May.
The museum belongs to Rossendale Borough Council and not the county council, so why are they saying it will close? Me thinks CC Driver is mischief making just before the county elections in May. not taken in Rossendale

6:59pm Wed 13 Mar 13

mavrick says...

This is the county councils accountants knowing the cost and not the value. But there are a lot of Tories in Rossendale so they have got what they voted for.
This is the county councils accountants knowing the cost and not the value. But there are a lot of Tories in Rossendale so they have got what they voted for. mavrick

7:05pm Wed 13 Mar 13

her from here says...

Shame on the lot of them.
Shame on the lot of them. her from here

8:21pm Wed 13 Mar 13

nmclean77 says...

So, close they want to close the museum? Maybe the council should have not wasted money on speed limit signs in streets where it's not possible to speed!
So, close they want to close the museum? Maybe the council should have not wasted money on speed limit signs in streets where it's not possible to speed! nmclean77

10:29pm Wed 13 Mar 13

gazzandste says...

A nail in Rossendale councils tourists coffin. Every town has a museum It contains the towns history, its link to the cotton industry, many items donated by the people of Rossendale for future generations to see. A complete shame to see such a brilliant piece of Rawtenstall come to such a sad end. I live in Burnley, but as a kid lived in Oakley, the park was an icon to us then, a museum, different kinds of birds in cages, peacocks and a fountain in front of the museum. People of Rossendale please fight for what was your Valleys history.
A nail in Rossendale councils tourists coffin. Every town has a museum It contains the towns history, its link to the cotton industry, many items donated by the people of Rossendale for future generations to see. A complete shame to see such a brilliant piece of Rawtenstall come to such a sad end. I live in Burnley, but as a kid lived in Oakley, the park was an icon to us then, a museum, different kinds of birds in cages, peacocks and a fountain in front of the museum. People of Rossendale please fight for what was your Valleys history. gazzandste

6:47pm Thu 14 Mar 13

spendmymoneywisely says...

I am no lover of Lancashire County Council but, as I recall, it was they who saved the museum in 2003 which was the last time Rossendale Council wanted to close it.

They seem to have supported it continuously ever since so I don't understand why you are critcicizing them when surely we should be blaming Rossendale Council for not planning ahead to the day when LCC might withdraw its support ?.

To be honest I'm fed up with this 'blame culture' and would prefer to see local people actually doing something positive like helping Friends of the Museum or similar organizations to save it. If you really care dip your hand in your pocket or go and offer your skills to help.
I am no lover of Lancashire County Council but, as I recall, it was they who saved the museum in 2003 which was the last time Rossendale Council wanted to close it. They seem to have supported it continuously ever since so I don't understand why you are critcicizing them when surely we should be blaming Rossendale Council for not planning ahead to the day when LCC might withdraw its support ?. To be honest I'm fed up with this 'blame culture' and would prefer to see local people actually doing something positive like helping Friends of the Museum or similar organizations to save it. If you really care dip your hand in your pocket or go and offer your skills to help. spendmymoneywisely

10:08pm Fri 15 Mar 13

rilistic says...

I think some of you need to read this article again. LCC is not withdrawing support. It is RBC's museum and they pay LCC to operate it for them. It is RBC who is saying they can't afford to pay for it anymore. What do you expect LCC to do - run it for nothing? What about the other District Councils who still pay LCC to run their museums? Why should RBC be any different?
I think some of you need to read this article again. LCC is not withdrawing support. It is RBC's museum and they pay LCC to operate it for them. It is RBC who is saying they can't afford to pay for it anymore. What do you expect LCC to do - run it for nothing? What about the other District Councils who still pay LCC to run their museums? Why should RBC be any different? rilistic

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