Trust announces reduced opening hours for museum

By Connor Steel

HAMPSHIRE CULTURAL TRUST (HCT) have announced that they have given ‘notice’ to Fareham Borough Council of a further reduction in opening hours for Westbury Manor Museum starting next week; which will see the tourist building only open for the public for three days a week as staff continue to prepare this historic attraction for permanent closure.

This move comes after a strategic review and follows a “planned reduction” in funding from Hampshire County Council as part of their major budget review early on this year. Westbury Manor was one of five HCT sites that were earmarked for closure including the Ashcroft Arts Centre and they have been operating four days a week over the summer holiday.

From September 2, the general public will only be able to access the ground floor and Cafe area for three days a week; which have been confirmed to be Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am until 2pm. These opening hours will run until after the October half term holidays as the museum will formally close to the public permanently from November 4.

The closure date will give HCT time to manage their removal of collections housed within the building which are part of the Hampshire County Council museum collection, and not owned by Fareham Borough Council. Most will be returned to storage and considered for fellow museums, whilst the iconic strawberry cart is to be located at Milestones Museum.

Readers can read a quote from Councillor Connie Hockley (Fareham Borough Council) and Katerina Kremmida (HCT) about these changes by clicking this link, whilst more information about Westbury Manor Museum may be seen online.

PICTURED BY CHRISTOPHER STEEL: Westbury Manor Museum will see reduction in opening hours until its closure.