Museum says it 'cannot subsidise' cafe events

The museum says it is required to have at least two staff members on shift for events

A museum has issued a new statement after the operators of its on-site cafe blamed its fees for the demise of a late night event.

Taste, which runs the cafe in Dorset Museum, said its Night at the Museum supper and tours had become unviable after a 550% fee increase from the venue.

The museum, which disputes the 550% figure, said the "modest contribution" it requested was to cover its costs, adding it could not "subsidise commercial activity".

Taste Cafe said it stood by its original announcement but declined to comment further.

According to museum bosses, Taste has a commercial licence to operate the cafe, retaining revenue and catering for events, while the museum receives a rental income.

The museum, in Dorchester's High West Street, previously said it had supplied staff and tours for the supper pilot scheme and charged Taste £50 per event - however its latest statement says the charge was actually £120.

The Night at the Museum evenings included a tour of the galleries and exhibitions

It said the "nominal amount" did not cover its costs but "was a supportive gesture to enable this pilot".

The statement said: "Our insurance requires at least two members of museum staff on site during all events.

"This makes any out-of-hours events a cost-bearing exercise for our charity.

"Unfortunately, the modest contribution we've requested to cover these costs and ensure the financial sustainability of the museum has been deemed unviable by Taste and they didn't take up an alternative model that was offered.

"While we regret this, we cannot subsidise commercial activity at the expense of our charitable activities."

In it's previous statement, Taste said: "Sadly we will no longer be able to host these evenings due to a cost increase of over 550% from Dorset County Museum.

"Unfortunately it is not sustainable for a small business like ours.

"We're incredibly disappointed, as these nights were a real highlight for us."