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UK museums have warned that they may be unable to provide planned ‘warm banks’ this winter, due to rising energy bills.
| 21 Sep 2022
UK museums have warned that they may be unable to provide planned ‘warm banks’ this winter, due to rising energy bills.
Several UK museums were exploring the option, however, increased operational costs due to the energy crisis are likely to lead to opening restrictions or even closures this winter, threatening plans to provide warm banks for those unable to heat their homes.
Additionally, The Museums Association, which represents more than 1,800 UK institutions, warned that the cost of living crisis could pose a bigger threat to the sector than the Covid-19 pandemic, with uncapped energy bills rising by up to 500%.
Speaking to The Guardian, The Museum Association director Sharon Heal said: “Museums can only be safe, warm spaces with sustainable funding.
“We’re getting concerned calls almost every day from institutions saying their anticipated energy bills are five times what they were last year.
“They are in absolute despair. I’ve never seen anything like it in the sector - museum directors and chief execs saying: ‘We don’t know how we’re going to pay the bills this winter.
“There has to be extra funding. It has to be an investment in the safety of our communities.
“At the moment there’s nothing on the table to support museums through this crisis. Museums can’t be expected to keep their doors open if they’re having a 500% increase in their energy costs. It’s such a big part of their operating costs.”
Read more on The Guardian
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