Walsall's New Art Gallery to have opening hours cut
The New Art Gallery Walsall will have its opening hours cut and will shut on Sundays under cost-cutting plans.
Cash-strapped Walsall Council wants to close the facility two days a week, instead of just on Mondays, and shut the building at 4pm Tuesday to Friday for 20 weeks a year.
The proposals aim to save the authority £19,360 in the next financial year.
The landmark building was the victim of money-saving measures back in 2011, leading to its closure on Sundays and bank holidays and sparking Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz to launch a petition to try and force the council to make a U-turn.
Although it was decided a year later that the gallery would reopen on Sundays, its opening hours are now under threat again just three years on.
Labour councillor Aftab Nawaz, who represents the St Matthews ward, said closing the art gallery on Sundays would be a shame and a regressive step for Walsall.
He said: "There's many people in Walsall who respect art and the art gallery has put the town on the map. Weekends are a time when families can get together and visit the art gallery.
"To have that shut on a Sunday is a regressive step in my mind. It will be detrimental to people's enjoyment of art.
"It's the Government cuts which are really to blame. I understand that difficult choices have to be made."
The art gallery, in Gallery Square, is currently open between 10am and 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, and on Sunday it opens from midday to 4pm. It is closed on Monday and bank holidays.
As part of proposals by the council to save £25 million in 2016/17, the gallery would close an hour earlier on weekdays between October and March, and be closed on Sunday throughout the year.
A report on the budget proposals states: "A reduction in the opening hours would limit the gallery's availability at times when many visitors and users are free to visit, particularly at the weekend.
"This would limit their ability to view exhibitions, engage in gallery activities and use facilities. This would particularly affect families and those who work in the week."
It also said there would be a reduction in staff hours. The gallery is visited by thousands of people every year and has hosted exhibitions from the likes of Damien Hirst.
A consultation will be held on the proposed budget before council chiefs make a final decision next year.
