The Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe has been given an £89,628 grant from a government fund that supports cultural centres that have suffered in the Covid-19 pandemic, ahead of museums reopening next month, writes Kit Heren…
The museum, on Railway Avenue near the Thames, said it will use the money from the Culture Recovery Fund to establish new ways of bringing in income, communicate in a “livelier” way and reach more people online.
There will be an open day for local residents to thank them for their ongoing support during the pandemic. The funds will also go towards training for the museum’s volunteers to help them discuss science and technology with visitors.
Museums are due to reopen on May 17 after being shut in London since December. This latest round of support comes to about £300m.
The Culture Recovery Fund has already given more than £800 million in grants and to almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations struck by the pandemic.
Katherine McAlpine said: “The first Cultural Recovery Fund was a lifeline for our small museum, allowing us to continue to engage with our audiences while we are closed and to develop ways of generating income to keep the Museum doors open once its safe to do so again.
“This second round of funding helps us continue that work, with training our volunteers in STEM-related activities. Above all we want to say thank you to the local community who have continued to support us during this difficult time.”
Meanwhile some local residents have spoken out against plans to cut down two cherry trees to make way for a new visitor centre at the museum, and the alleged lack of communication about the plan.
Local residents slam Brunel Museum expansion plans in Rotherhithe
The new 65 square metre centre would include toilets and visitor-facing facilities, meaning the museum’s Engine House building would have more space “to tell stories that are more relevant to the local community,” McAlpine said.
But nearly 60 people have objected to the proposal – which, along with other plans, would cost £2.6m – on Southwark Council’s planning website, arguing against the loss of the two trees and other green space.
McAlpine said the loss of the trees was “regrettable” and pointed to engagement events the museum had carried out.