Belper World Heritage site mill museum to close

Belper's mill buildings have dominated the town for more than 100 years

A museum at the heart of a World Heritage site is set to close after losing council funding.

Strutt's North Mill Museum in Belper, Derbyshire, has celebrated the area's industrial heritage for 25 years.

But Amber Valley Borough Council has withdrawn a grant worth almost £50,000 and the museum will close in September.

John Layton, chair of Belper North Mill Trust, said they were disappointed but hoped something might be salvaged for the future.

The space will instead be let out for commercial use from October.

North Mill is the oldest building on the site and retains many original features

The Grade I listed mill building, mostly dating from 1804, is described as one of the most important at the World Heritage site.

The museum contains machinery and memorabilia relating to textile production and the Strutt family, who built a manufacturing complex there.

But Mr Layton said keeping the museum running was not financially viable without outside help.

Hopes for future

"We couldn't continue operating without that grant," he said.

"We did our best to find alternative funds but it is very difficult to bridge a gap of £50,000 for a charity of our size.

"We could have dipped into reserves but that would have just been deferring the inevitable."

Mr Layton said the reserves were being saved for possible future funding bids and they were hoping to maintain limited public access.

'Devastating blow'

The museum's collections may be put into storage or returned to owners, depending on the outcome of discussions.

Kevin Buttery, leader of the Conservative-controlled authority, revealed the museum had been subsidised to the tune of £20 per visitor.

He said: "The reduction of funding has been part of the council's overall Budget Reduction Plan for a number of years, as it is required to address its £3.4m annual deficit.

"As a council the priority is to protect and deliver services you have a responsibility for, which unfortunately means you have to make difficult decisions to control overspending."

Ben Bellamy, of the Labour group on the council, said: "This devastating blow will have an extremely detrimental effect on Belper's visitor offering and is an insult to local people past and present whose heritage and culture was celebrated in the museum."