Sunderland museum opening hours cut to save cash

Opening hours at two Sunderland Museum are to be cut as council bosses look to save money.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Sep 2016, 16:50 BST
Updated 5th Oct 2016, 13:43 BST
Sunderland Museum and Winter GardensSunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

Council leaders say the changes at Monkwearmouth and Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens mean events and activities will be held at times when most people will be able to enjoy them, while closing the museums at times when they were often empty will save 'valuable resources.'

At the moment, both museums are open between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and 2pm-5pm on a Sunday.

Monkwearmouth Station MuseumMonkwearmouth Station Museum
Monkwearmouth Station Museum
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The new opening hours are being introduced from Monday and will see the Museum and Winter Gardens open between 10am and 4pm Monday-Saturday and noon to 4pm on Sunday.

Monkwearmouth Station Museum will be open from 11am until 3pm Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture, Councillor John Kelly said: "We have looked at the most popular times for visiting and have changed the opening times accordingly.

"Being open at times when footfall is at its highest means we can plan things at the best, most convenient times for people to enjoy them to actually enhance the visitor experience.

"Likewise it makes no sense to keep these museums open and waste valuable resources with opening times people obviously aren't finding convenient and aren't visiting."

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