We have been closely monitoring the continued updates from the Met Office regarding the hot weather conditions forecast for Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June.
The Museum will remain open, and the adverse weather response group has met and decided on the adaptations outlined below. We’ve been working on these changes so that we can safely open, both to provide a safe working environment for colleagues and a great experience for our visitors.
We have made the following adaptations for our visitors:
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We will be amending our opening hours, closing the site to visitors at 3pm. Pre-arranged private venue hire will continue, with appropriate adaptations.
- We will be adapting outdoor tours and demonstrations and delivering these as talks in more shady areas.
- Although Thursday is usually a dog entry day, we will not be allowing entry to dogs this Thursday.
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Cups for water will be available from food and drink outlets, and ice will be available from the Elephant & Castle Pub.
- While Hobbs’ Fish and Chip Shop will be closed, all other usual food and drink outlets will open as normal.
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While our usual historic transport will not be running, we will still have Doris (our accessible transport) available for those who require it.
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Additional fans will be provided where possible.
- The Peaky Blinders Filming Location Tours on Wednesday will go ahead with a slightly adapted route.
For any colleagues who usually work in Canalside Offices, we ask that if you can safely do so, please work from home. This will allow us to make more space in this office for those who are required to work at the Museum to access air-conditioned spaces for hot-desking and for taking breaks. When working from home, please do follow our usual guidance on working safely.
To ensure the air-conditioning is at its most efficient and can provide an adequate cool space for breaks, all windows and blinds must be kept closed in Canalside Offices and air-conditioning must remain on.
For colleagues who are required to be on-site:
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Break spaces will be made available in Canalside Offices and a classroom in the Learning Centre, so that front line colleagues have access to air-conditioned spaces during breaks. For Canalside, this includes the three meeting rooms as well as the kitchen.
- Front line colleagues will have an increased number of breaks.
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For office-based colleagues who are not based in Canalside Offices and need to be on-site, we encourage you to hot-desk in Canalside so that you can access air-conditioning. Office spaces will close at 5pm, so office based colleagues will need to leave before 5pm.
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For costumed colleagues, we are relaxing our costume policy – avoid wearing outer layers and wear loose fitting clothing.
- Water will be provided in billy-cans in all historic settings, and we encourage you to bring water bottles with you.
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There are sunscreen stations available for all in the following rest areas: Guide Hut, Doo’s, and the Infant Welfare Centre. There is also sunscreen available in the cleaning team rest area.
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For all hourly paid front-line colleagues, you will be paid for your full shift and the unworked hours will be offset with training at a later date.
If you’re here at the Museum, please remember our top tips for sun safety:
- Ensure that you drink plenty of water – please do bring water bottles.
- If you are working outside, please make use of the shade wherever possible. For guides, please bring an umbrella to use as shade while moving around the site and stop off at water stations where needed.
- Apply factor 30+ sunscreen.
- Avoid heavy or tight-fitting clothing.
For any colleagues who have any questions or concerns regarding the above, please contact your line manager.
Thank you,
Museum team
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