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Glass Museum faces closure
The grade II-listed Broadfield House Glass Museum in Stourbridge may face closure, as part of the latest round of cost-cutting measures being taken by Dudley Council.
A feasibility study is to be carried out to help evaluate whether it would be practical to transfer the 30-year-old museum’s collections and services to the town’s Red House Glass Cone site.
On 14 January, the select committee on regeneration, culture and adult education reported: “It has been established in the Councils Capital Strategy that the amalgamation of the Red House Glass Cone and Broadfield House Glass Museum could lead to an improved visitor attraction and a better heritage asset.
“During the 2009/10 financial year further feasibility work will be undertaken.
“These plans will be targeted in time for the start of the 2010/11 financial year when it has been assumed savings of £120,000 per annum will be achieved.”
It is likely that the select committee will now approve the site closure on 2 March, two days ahead of the next committee meeting on 4 March.
Barbara Beadman, chair of The Friends of Broadfield House group, told Leisure Opportunities: “After lengthy discussions we, the Friends and our colleagues in other glass associations, are not convinced that the museum will remain open after 31 March 2010.
“Because of this we have made an offer to the head cabinet member for culture, Cllr Karen Shakespeare, to raise up to £120,000 for the financial year 2010/2011 to ensure that the doors will stay open.”
The council has yet to comment on the proposal.