Museum charge for non-residents considered

Non-Worcester residents could have to pay to visit the city's museum and art gallery under plans being considered by councillors.

The museums service is subsidised by the city council and with growing pressure on budgets, a £2.50 entrance fee for some visitors could be introduced.

Details of exactly how it would be implemented are still to be worked out, but the council said it felt confident a charge would not deter visitors.

A final decision on the plan will be made by the council later this month.

A Worcester City Council spokesman said: "Currently the museums service is highly subsidised from the city council's revenue budget but unfortunately we have a growing deficit in our funding, so it is with regret therefore that we are recommending to members the introduction of a nominal entrance charge to Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum for non-residents of the city.

"We feel confident that such a charge will not deter visitors from enjoying our wonderful art gallery and museum."

Councillors will debate the admission fee, as well as a number of other planned charges and the council's draft budget for 2025-26, at a policy and resources meeting on Tuesday.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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