Celebrity TV scientist Brian Cox has spearheaded calls to keep the doors of the Museum of Science and Industry firmly open. As revealed in Tuesday's M.E.N., the landmark attraction – part of the national Science Museums Group – is under risk as its parent body faces a cash crisis.
The Manchester University physicist and broadcaster said any serious threat to the landmark museum would show ‘reckless disregard for our future for short-term gain.’ His comments came as thousands of museum visitors and members of the public weighed in to express their anguish and disbelief.
Hundreds have already signed an M.E.N-led petition urging the museum group's director, Ian Blatchford, to give a firm commitment against closure. The national museum group, which includes London's science museum, revealed this week that it was already heading towards an operating deficit.
Firm proposals will be put forward to the museum group's board of directors in the autumn. Another option is to introduce entrance fees. The museum saw its visitor number treble after ditching its fees twelve years ago. But a well-placed source stated that the closure of Mosi, which last year welcomed over 839,000 visitors, and other venues ‘remained a definite possibility.’
The 15-member museum group board includes former BBC and ITV chairman Lord Michael Grade and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter. Last week, museum bosses met with council leaders in the affected cities to discuss the cash shortfall. But it is understood that town hall bosses in Manchester have ruled out underwriting or taking over the museum.
Council leader Sir Richard Leese refused to comment on the talks but insisted the museum was of global significance’ and was confident it would survive.
Source: Manchester Evening News
