Sadness as Kidderminster's carpet museum to close after 13 years
Kidderminster's Museum of Carpet will close next month, citing rising energy costs and falling visitor numbers.
The museum at Stour Vale Mill will close its doors for the last time on December 20, said chairman of trustees Geoffrey Gilbert.
The museum was opened by Lord Cobham in October 2012, following a 30-year campaign by volunteers to bring the museum to the town.
The Carpet Museum Trust, which runs the venue, said it would continue t0o maintain the artifacts, and would be seeking new ways to allow the public to view them.
Mr Gilbert said the decision was made with 'deep regret' after efforts to secure additional funding had failed to bear fruit.
He 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."
He said Museums Development Midlands and the Arts Council had helped the museum in its quests to secure additional long-term funding.
"Unfortunately, no sustainable solutions have been found to overcome these financial challenges," he added.
He said the trust would continue to manage its archives, displays and collections.
"Arrangements are being made to preserve and relocate the museum’s collection for future generations as necessary, and they will be made public once details are finalised," he said.
"In the meantime up to December 20 we hope that the people of Kidderminster and Wyre Forest will take the opportunity to show their support and appreciation of what we have accomplished by visiting us along with their families."
Mr Gilbert said the trust would seek to maintain access to the collections, and appealed for anybody who may be able to help.
The trust was founded in 1981, and as the industry began to contract, the trust began collecting machinery, artefacts, archives and libraries from several firms in Kidderminster.
Two working looms, a Wilton Jacquard loom and a Spool Axminster loom, were among the first exhibits.
