Museum axes free entry to tackle rising costs

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum is to charge a minimal fee for entry from 1 April 2025

A museum is set to introduce admission fees for visitors to help secure its future.

Coventry's Herbert Art Gallery & Museum said it would start charging a minimal fee for entry from 1 April amid what it called "challenging financial times".

The museum, on Jordan Well, said it was facing rising costs and the change would help it to continue to care for its collections and create world-class exhibitions.

Admission for children up to age 15 and Coventry residents with Go CV+ cards would remain free, a spokesperson added.

The new fee structure offers visitors single-day tickets or annual passes for unlimited return visits, which can be purchased online or at the Herbert Box Office.

Day passes will range from £3 for Go CV cardholders to £4.50 for non-cardholders. Annual passes will cost Go CV cardholders £5 and the fee will by £9 for non-cardholders

Steve Wiles, chief operating officer for CV Life, which runs the Herbert, said introducing admittance fees was a "significant change" and the decision hadn't been taken lightly.

"This step is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the museum and protecting the services and collections our visitors value so much," he explained.

"We're confident that the admissions structure will provide excellent value for money and will enable us to keep delivering memorable experiences for everyone who visits."