Museum to stay open as council budget finalised

Abbey House Museum, opposite Kirkstall Abbey, was opened in 1927

A Leeds museum which was threatened with closure under council budget proposals will now stay open after a "passionate" response from the public.

Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall opened in 1927 and is known for its replica Victorian streets and vintage penny slot machines.

Leeds City Council ran a consultation on the future of the museum as it tried to address "unprecedented financial pressures" - but said plans to close the attraction had now been withdrawn.

Final budget plans for the coming year include £67m in extra funding but the council said the impact of rising costs, pressures and demand for services means it needs to save £103.8m overall.

Based in Kirkstall Abbey's old gatehouse, the museum features reconstructed Victorian streets

The budget will be presented to the council's executive board next week and to the full council on 26 February.

It includes an increase in council tax of 4.99% and a review of children's centres and transport services for children and families.

The council said it would introduce a "pay as you feel" admission charge at Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds Discovery Centre, and is considering charging for entrance to Kirkstall Abbey.

It will also hand over the running of Middleton Leisure Centre to a third party.

The extra £67m of funding means the proposed 10% funding cut for neighbourhood networks in Leeds will not be required, and there will be no reduction made to wellbeing and youth activity funding.

The council said as well as keeping the museum open, possible changes to bowling green provision in the city are to be further consulted on, with the aim of looking at ways to raise income and reduce the number of proposed closures.

The museum is situated opposite Kirkstall Abbey

The council received nearly 10,000 responses to its consultation about the museum.

Councillor Salma Arif said the feedback had been "incredibly passionate".

"The overriding sentiment has been that people across Leeds clearly recognise the unique social value of our museums and galleries to their communities and local heritage."

She added: "What we need now is for people channel the passion and enthusiasm they have demonstrated during the consultation into visiting and engaging with the site as much as possible over the coming months so we can all work to support its future."

The museum will remain open as usual.

The current exhibition is called Story Time and includes a huge variety of historic books and games, each exploring the magical world of children's stories.

However, a council spokesperson said: "Savings still need to be made, and alternative options to secure to the savings required are currently being reviewed."

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