Abbey House Museum closure: Petition launched to stop Leeds City Council from closing 'historical' site

Leeds City Council announced at the start of the month that Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall faces closure as it struggles with “unprecedented” budget challenges.

Among the other budget proposals, which will be decided on in the new year, are a near-five per cent council tax increase and the introduction of ‘pay as you feel’ admission charges at museums and galleries in the city.

Staff at the interactive, Victorian-themed museum said they were “distraught” at the news and residents have also said they are “appalled” at the potential closure of the “fabulous” museum.

A petition has now been launched by Kirkstall resident Stuart Long urging the council to “reconsider their decision”, while a consultation allowing residents to share their views with the council has also been opened.

Mr Long writes on the petition page that he was “affected deeply” by the closure announcement and “cannot stand by while the Leeds City Council plans to close a piece of our city's rich history”.

He writes: “As we know, the Abbey Museum is not just a building; it is a historical landmark and a valuable resource to the people of Leeds. It serves as an educational hub, a place where history is not only preserved but also brought to life.

“The importance of preserving these landmarks cannot be overstated, as the erosion of our historical fabric leaves future generations impoverished of cultural heritage.”

He said the museum was a “testament to city's rich backstory and an integral component of the city's cultural identity”, adding: “Closing such an institution would undoubtedly affect the city's tourist economy and rob the citizens their opportunity to engage with our city's history in a meaningful and profound way.”

The petition urges the city council to reconsider the decision, and has so far received over 500 signatures.

Fellow resident Anna Goodridge, 44, said that she had visited since she was a child and was “appalled” at the announcement.

“The proposed saving is paltry against the loss of this wonderful place”, she said. “We should not be cutting our museums, we should be shouting from the rooftops how amazing they are!”

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “As part of a series of wide-ranging proposals being explored across the authority to help us meet unprecedented budget challenges, Leeds City Council will be consulting on the potential closure of Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall.

“We absolutely recognise that this will come as disappointing news to anyone who has visited the site over the years, but unfortunately these proposals are an unavoidable consequence of what has become an increasingly unsustainable financial situation.

“Since the Covid pandemic, visitor numbers at Abbey House have been steadily declining, with less than 40,000 visitors attending in 2023/24, and it is projected that visitors number will continue to fall by a further 20 percent over the next year.

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“Closing Abbey House Museum to the public will save the Council £160,000 a year. Budget pressures, combined with rising costs make any investment in the site increasingly difficult.

“In light of this and the immense challenges facing the council, we have been given little choice but to look at the long term viability of the museum as a council-run visitor attraction.

“We would stress that no final decision has been taken and timescales on any potential closure would be decided following consultation with staff and stakeholders.

“The council does not take any decisions about visitor attractions lightly, and these proposals have been brought forward in an effort to help protect vital, front line services while also attempting to safeguard the most viable and sustainable future for all of our much loved museums and galleries.”