Petition to halt Leeds museum closure gains thousands of signatures

A petition to halt the potential closure of a council-run Leeds museum has secured more than three thousand signatures.

In December 2024, Leeds City Council announced it was considering plans to close Abbey House Museum, as part of measures to address a £106.4m savings requirement for its 2025/26 budget.

The proposals form part of a wider package of cost-saving measures,as the council grapples with rising social care costs and increased service demands across the city.

An online petition set up by Stuart Long, described as a Leeds resident, now hopes to change the council’s cost-saving strategy.

The petition reads: “I cannot stand by while the Leeds City Council plans to close a piece of our city’s rich history. As we know, the Abbey Museum is not just a building; it is a historical landmark and a valuable resource to the people of Leeds. It serves as an educational hub, a place where history is not only preserved but also brought to life.

“Closing such an institution would undoubtedly affect the city’s tourist economy and rob the citizens their opportunity to engage with our city’s history in a meaningful and profound way.

“In the wake of potential closure, we the people of Leeds urge the City Council to reconsider their decision.”

A consultation on the closure of the museum runs until 23 January 2025.

Leeds MP Alex Sobel said in a statement “I think it’s vital that we retain the collection for Leeds and I have been given guarantees that the collection will continue to be accessible to the people of Leeds.

He told West Leeds Dispatch: “I also want to ensure that the public can continue to access the venue and am engaging with the council on what the future options for the building are.

“While the collection continues to be housed at Abbey House I think everyone should have access while the council undertakes its work on the future of both the collection and the building.”