Image: A sign outside the People's Story Museum (CC BY-SA 3.0 Stefan2901)
Edinburgh council U-turns on closure of People’s Story Museum amid public outcry and political pressure.
The People’s Story Museum is set to reopen to the public on Monday 2 December after a temporary closure.
The museum, run by Edinburgh council, had been temporarily closed due to staff shortages but was also set to close over autumn and winter to save costs.
The plans had caused outcry from local campaigners, alongside Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson who accused the council of having the “wrong priorities” .
Now, Edinburgh Council says the museum will resume its regular seven-day schedule from Monday 2 December, as officers work to “identify funding and resource which will facilitate the reopening of the museum.”
Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker, said: “After initially proposing a temporary winter closure for the museum, we listened closely to the community’s passionate feedback, and I’m delighted to announce that we will reopen the museum on Monday 2 December.
“It’s a special museum where all exhibits are inspired by the voices of Edinburgh’s own people, drawn from oral histories and written accounts to share authentic stories. The collections showcase this with items such as Friendly Society regalia, banners, and materials representing Edinburgh’s diverse communities. We look forward to welcoming visitors back through the museum’s doors.”
A report on the new operating model for Museums and Galleries will be brought to December’s meeting of the Culture and Communities Committee, the council said.
It is now working on a new operating model for the Museums and Galleries service “aimed at enhancing the experience for residents and visitors, increasing revenue, and focusing more on the city’s historic collections”.
