The Prime Minister yesterday announced some important changes to relax the lockdown and, also, further steps towards opening up the economy. One of the most important parts of the announcement for the Museum was the confirmation that museums and galleries will be permitted to open again from Sat 4 July.
Whilst the announcement is undoubtedly positive news, permission to reopen does not resolve the challenges facing the museum sector – particularly for those organisations for which reopening will cost more than staying closed. Therefore, AIM (Association for Independent Museums) has published a joint statement along with the National Museum Directors’ Council and Museums’ Association calling for the Government to make a long-term financial investment in the sector to support its future resilience and sustainability. This high profile advocacy is designed to raise awareness of the issues facing museums and to keep the sector front-of-mind for policy-makers within Government. Please click here for the full joint statement.
As we’ve previously communicated, BCLM’s plan is to reopen in a phased approach from Sat 1 Aug in order to give us time to make our large 26-acre site safe and to develop a programme that engages visitors within a covid-secure environment. More details about the reopening plan and programme will be shared with colleagues as soon as possible. Both the reopening plan and programme design had already anticipated some of the measures announced by the Prime Minister. Consequently, we’re in a position to progress our plans without the need to make major changes.
It goes without saying that it’s the people working at the Museum who are the most important factor in delivering what visitors find so special about BCLM. Therefore, thank you to everyone who completed the staff survey. Almost 200 people participated in the survey ahead of today’s deadline for completion. The findings will be used at an overall level to inform the people plan for reopening.
When plans are finalised, managers will be in contact with team members to discuss the reopening and the role we can each play in successfully welcoming visitors back to the Museum over the coming months.
As businesses operating within the visitor economy now look at their strategies for reopening in line with the latest Government guidance, Black Country Chamber of Commerce are focusing their next ‘In Conversation with…’ webinar on the subject of the visitor economy. On Tue 30 Jun (2-3pm) a panel of industry leaders, including Museum Chief Executive Andrew Lovett, will be discussing the sector’s response to Covid-19 and how tourism and visitor attractions will meet the challenges ahead. To book a place on the webinar, click here.
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