DH Lawrence Heritage Centre in Eastwood set to close

DH Lawrence Heritage Centre in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, houses exhibitions and artefacts about the writer's life

The DH Lawrence Heritage Centre in Eastwood will close in a bid to save the local authority £80,000 a year.

The centre houses exhibitions and artefacts about the writer's life and hosts an annual programme of events.

UNESCO, a group which wants to make Nottingham a city of literature, has described the decision as short-sighted.

Conservative-led Broxtowe Borough Council said it needs to save £3.5 million over the next three years.

The council's cabinet voted to close the building, known locally as Durban House, and merge it with the DH Lawrence Birthplace museum around the corner.

The team working on the UNESCO bid said closing the heritage centre will deprive Eastwood of the benefits the association with Lawrence brings.

The proposal to shut the visitor attraction was put forward by the council's leader Richard Jackson.

Malcolm Gray, chair of the DH Lawrence Society, said: "I'm disappointed that the idea was even mooted.

"If Durban House closes, some of the staff will undoubtedly be made redundant... the knowledge they have is invaluable and it would be a great loss."

Gloria De Piero, Labour MP for Ashfield, launched a petition along with the borough's mayor to keep the centre open.