Alistair Hardaker
Image: Museum of Carpet (CC BY-SA 2.0 Elliot Brown)
Rising energy prices, maintenance costs and tenant losses force 20 December closure, with collection to be relocated.
The Museum of Carpet in Kidderminster has announced it is to close before the end of the year, citing low footfall and increased costs.
The Carpet Museum Trust’s Chair of the Board, Geoffrey Gilbert, said “It is with deep regret” that the museum will close on 20th December 2025.
The museum is staffed by a small group of paid employees alongside volunteers, and claims to be the UK’s only museum dedicated to celebrating the heritage, art and industry of carpet making. Based inside the Stour Vale Mill, it receives no regular local or central government funding.
The museum houses displays, alongside demonstrations of hand loom and power looms in operations. It houses an extensive collection of objects, archives, books and photographs relating to the carpet industry dating from the 18th century to the present day.
Gilbert said: “After 13 years serving the public as a centre of learning, culture and heritage the museum has, like many similar institutions, faced significant financial challenges in recent years.”
“Despite the dedication of staff, volunteers, Friends, Trustees, Corporate Partners and supporters the combination of rising energy prices, maintenance costs, loss of tenants and reduced footfall have made it unsustainable to continue operations at its present site.
Gilbert said efforts to secure additional long term funding had been explored extensively with the help of Museums Development Midlands and the Arts Council, but “no sustainable solutions have been found to overcome these financial challenges.”
The Carpet Museum Trust will continue to be responsible for the management of its archives, displays and collections. Arrangements are being made to preserve and relocate the museum’s collection.
