A passionate campaign in Kirkstall is underway to save the beloved Abbey House Museum from closure, with over 6,000 signatures gathered.
Kirkstall: The fight to keep Abbey House Museum open is heating up. Locals are rallying together, and it’s pretty inspiring to see so many people care.
Leeds City Council wants to shut it down to save some cash, claiming it would help them save £160,000 a year. But that’s not sitting well with the community.
Stuart Long, a local resident, kicked off a petition that’s already gathered over 6,000 signatures. He believes the museum is a treasure for the town and has been part of Kirkstall’s history for ages.
He describes the museum as a “beautiful heritage site” that’s been around since the Cistercian times. It opened its doors in 1927 and has a fantastic ground floor that recreates Victorian streets. Imagine walking through those streets and seeing real artifacts!
Stuart says it’s a magical experience for kids. They can actually touch things and play with old machines, which is way cooler than just seeing it on a screen.
He’s not alone in his love for the museum. Generations of families have visited, and it’s a place where memories are made. Kids from all over have gone on school trips there, and many parents fondly remember their own visits.
But the council is facing tough financial times, claiming they need to make cuts. They’ve said visitor numbers are down, and they need to save around £106 million next year. It’s a big deal, but many think closing the museum isn’t the answer.
Stuart argues that the money saved from closing the museum is just a drop in the bucket compared to the council’s overall budget. He even pointed out that they’re considering selling a fancy number plate for £500,000. If they can do that, surely they can find other ways to save money without losing the museum.
He’s worried that closing local museums is part of a bigger trend that threatens local history. People can visit big museums, but there’s something special about having a local spot to explore.
Stuart also mentioned that closing the museum would make it harder for people in the area, especially those struggling with the cost of living. They’d have to travel further just to see another museum.
With so many people signing the petition, it’s clear that the community wants to keep the museum open. As Stuart puts it, “We don’t want you to touch our museum.”
