The Museum of Carpet in Kidderminster is to close after facing significant financial challenges.
The Carpet Museum Trust says it hopes to find a new venue to display its collection and continue its educational work. Its Stour Vale Mill premises will close on 20 December, 13 years after it opened.
‘It is with deep regret that the Carpet Museum Trust announces the closure of the Museum of Carpet. After 13 years serving the public as a centre of learning, culture and heritage, the museum has, like many similar institutions, faced significant financial challenges in recent years,’ says Geoffrey Gilbert, CMT chairman.
‘Despite the dedication of staff, volunteers, friends, trustees, corporate partners and supporters, the combination of rising energy prices, maintenance costs, loss of tenants and reduced footfall have made it unsustainable to continue operations at its present site.
‘Efforts to secure additional long-term funding have been explored extensively with the help of Museums Development Midlands and the Arts Council. Unfortunately, no sustainable solutions have been found to overcome these financial challenges.’
The trust says that it will continue to be responsible for the management of its collections and archives and that arrangements are being made to preserve and relocate the Museum’s collection, with details made public once finalised.
‘If you feel you are able to help or assist in any way please get in touch with me. In the meantime, up to December 20, we hope that people will take the opportunity to show their support and appreciation of what we have accomplished by visiting us along with their families,’ says Gilbert.
