STAFF at Wardown Museum are “thrilled” that plans to close the attraction on weekdays have been put on the back burner.
Last year Luton Borough Council put forward proposals to close the museum during term-time, saying the move would save £53,000.
But the authority has now announced it is putting the proposals on ice until the museum has received a decision on its bid for £1.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The money would go towards a £3 million project to completely overhaul the ground floor of the museum, restoring the rooms to their original Victorian splendour, making space available for weddings and corporate hire, and creating a traditional Victorian-style tea room that will function independently from the museum.
The project would create a ‘social museum’, where people can interact with exhibits, in a move away from the ‘locked glass cabinet’ style of visitor experience.
Karen Perkins, director of museums at Luton Culture, said the response of the public to the closure proposals had helped sway the council.
“People here are really pleased that the council is giving us the chance to explore investment in the building rather than just looking at cutting,” she said.
“The council has seen that we are loved as a service, a museum and a building – the public support has really helped us.”
Two further public consultation events are planned for May, before the funding bid is submitted in June.
“There is a lot of work to do – if we are successful we will have a year to produce a clear business plan.
“Our approach is to try and make efficiencies through a sustainable business model.”