Council criticised over access to museum collections

Newbury man Brian Withers has claimed the shut down of the museum has not been managed properly

A NEWBURY man has criticised West Berkshire Council over the lack of access to museum collections and resources.

West Berkshire Museum closed its doors last October for a minimum period of four years while refurbishment work takes place to make the historic Wharf building compliant with fire and safety regulations.

Since then, members of the public have been unable to access artefacts, images and other museum collections for research and history projects.

Up to 30 people are understood to have requested access to museum resources, but West Berkshire Council has said it is not currently able to provide access while it prepares for refurbishment.

Council spokesman, Phil Spray, said: “This is so that staff and volunteers can concentrate on sorting, packing and moving the collections and to allow the architect's team to have complete access to all parts of the buildings before redevelopment of the museum.”

However, Brian Withers, of Newbury, said he had been struck by what he described as the “lethargic attitude” of the council adding that he felt alternative locations such as Shaw House should be considered.

He said: “I am not convinced that our heritage is being looked after in an appropriate manner.

“My view is that the whole shut down of the museum has not been managed properly and that a building which has been identified as a fire risk has been allowed to hold all the local historical information for so long with no thought of protection.

“Historical files are still in the museum and at risk of destruction.”

Mr Withers, who wrote to the council about his concerns, received a response from the executive member for culture and leisure, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley).

She said researchers should be able to access materials from early 2012, adding that the council had secured a short term lease on a property at an as yet, undisclosed location.

She said that the council had previously considered moving exhibitions to Shaw House, but she said grants for the museum redevelopment from organisations such as English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) were only available if the Grade I and II listed buildings in the Wharf continued to have a heritage purpose.

Mrs Cole said: “Our judgement was that developing an attractive and vibrant museum in this location will safeguard these important buildings and add to the vibrancy of the town centre.”

Meanwhile, the museum redevelopment project has received a boost this week with the pledge of a £40,000 grant from the Headley Trust, although this is dependant upon a succesful second round bid to the HLF early next year.