Looks like we are still in with a shout:

 

Dear Colleague

You may be aware that Stockport Council recently carried out consultation with  customers and other stakeholders on Museums & Cultural Attractions in Stockport with a view to achieving budget savings of £188,000 over the next two years.  We are grateful to all those who took the time to take part in this exercise.  The original proposals were:

1.      To reduce visitor opening hours at Stockport Art Gallery to Saturday and Sunday 1pm-5pm.

2.      To reduce opening hours at Stockport Tourist Information Centre to Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. 

3.      To review the range of the services offered at Stockport Tourist Information Centre to create a single customer service point for tourist information, Stockport Market and Staircase House/Stockport Story Museum.

4.      To relocate museum exhibits from the Vernon Park Museum building and redisplay key items to create wider access.

5.      To improve the overall visitor offer at Air Raid Shelters, Hatworks, Staircase House/Stockport Story Museum and Bramall Hall.

Public consultation took place through meetings with stakeholders and a questionnaire.  We also received feedback on the proposals in other ways, including stakeholder meetings, petitions and correspondence.

The consultation feedback has now been analysed and reviewed and copies of the consultation report are available upon request.  The consultation feedback resulted in a slightly amended proposal being sent to the Council’s Executive for approval on Monday night (17^th December).  I can now confirm that Executive have given their approval for this amended proposal to proceed.  This will result in the following changes to service provision:

 

Stockport Art Gallery & War Memorial:  Following staff and customer feedback and positive discussions with stakeholders, including SK Arts and Stockport College, the Council proposes to delay proposed changes to the opening hours of Stockport Art Gallery & War Memorial until 1^st October 2013.   This will allow for alternative management arrangements and income generation opportunities to be explored more fully.  If sustainable arrangements, which generate sufficient income to cover front of house staffing costs, can be agreed by 31^st March 2013, the proposal will be withdrawn.  If this is not possible, the proposed new weekend only opening hours will take effect from 1^st October 2013.  We will be contacting key stakeholders, who have expressed an interest in being part of a future solution for the Art Gallery & War Memorial, early in 2013 to progress discussions.

 

Tourist Information Centre:  Proposals to create a merged service point for tourist information, Stockport Story/Staircase House Museum and Stockport Market will proceed as per the proposal.  The timing of implementation will be revised from the original plans.  It is currently anticipated that the TIC and Museum reception will merge from 1^st April 2013 and that the market front of house operation will be incorporated into the merged service point from 1^st October  2013.  The revised opening hours will also take effect from 1^st October 2013.

 

Vernon Park Museum: Proposals to relocate museum objects from Vernon Park Museum building will proceed as previously proposed from January 2013.  A management agreement will be developed with Pure Innovations for the future occupation and use of the building.  The café will continue to operate as presently.

 

Museum Improvements:  Work will proceed to improve the overall offer at Air Raid Shelters, Hatworks, Staircase House/Stockport Story Museum and Bramall Hall with a view to improving the visitor experience and income generation from the sites.

If you have any queries about any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I would like to thank you once again for your feedback and take this opportunity to wish you wish you a pleasant Christmas and happy New Year.