Member Article

MOSI could close, says Science Museum chief

Ian Blatchford, director and chief executive of the Science Museum Group, has confirmed that Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) could close if the Government cuts its funding by a further 10%.

The London-based group owns the Science Museum in London, MOSI in Manchester, two National Railway Museums in York and Shildon, as well as the National Media Museum in Bradford.

In a statement, Mr Blatchford said any one of the group’s museums, including the London Science Museum, could close following the Government’s spending review at the end of June.

The Manchester Evening News has held a petition to protect the MOSI from closure, with 30,000 names reportedly signed in the past 24 hours.

Mr Blatchford said the Science Museum Group supports the Government in its efforts to boost science and engineering for the UK economy, but criticised its science policy for a lack of consistency across its different parts.

He said: “The Science Museum Group plays a vital role in helping to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to drive the economy, showcase the best of British research for the British public and help them understand the complexities of modern research.

“However, for this success to be achieved, it is essential that the Government’s science policy is more joined up and that this is reflected in an on-going commitment to funding across the scientific community.”

Reactions across the media and from the public in Manchester have been pronounced, with TV scientist and Manchester University physicist, Dr Brian Cox, reportedly joining the ranks against MOSI’s closure.

Mr Blatchford continued: “In the past four years, we have dealt with a 25 per cent real terms cut in funding when the science base, funded by a different Government Department, has had to cope with a 10 per cent cut.

“If an additional 10 per cent cut is made when the spending review is announced at the end of this month, there would be little choice other than to close one of our museums, since our structural (year on year) deficit would rise from £2 million to £6 million.

“I would rather have three world class museums than four mediocre museums. I should add that charging is not on the agenda because Government policy precludes it.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .