Museum work delay 'causing financial pressure'

Norfolk County Council expects Norwich Castle to fully reopen this summer

A museum service is facing "significant" financial pressure because of delays in reopening its largest attraction, a report has warned.

Norfolk Museums Service said its income was down because of regeneration work overrunning at Norwich Castle, along with "cost of living pressures".

In a report for councillors, head of the service Steve Miller said it may have to withdraw £1.34m from reserves to cover losses.

Work on the castle was supposed to be completed at the end of 2023, but last month Norfolk County Council said it now expected the building to fully reopen this summer.

Work on refurbishing the castle's keep began in 2020 but it was held up by the pandemic.

The council then faced challenges obtaining steel due to the war in Ukraine, with further problems caused by the discovery of hidden Norman and Victorian features, and the need to replace a leaking roof.

The price of refurbishment has also risen significantly, with costs soaring to £27.5m from an original budget of £18m.

Mr Miller's report said the delay in work meant a "reduced visitor offer" leading to "income shortfalls".

He added the museums service was "optimistic that the successful completion of the Norwich Castle project will enable a return to normal breakeven operations in the next financial year".

Members of Norfolk's joint museums committee are due to consider the report later this month.