Edinburgh Museum Set to Reopen Following Public Opposition

A museum in Edinburgh, which had been temporarily shut down as a cost-saving measure, is scheduled to resume operations next month following significant public opposition. The city council had initially intended for The People’s Story to stay closed throughout the winter season, citing staff shortages and financial constraints. However, the museum will now reopen on 2 December, prompted by “passionate feedback” received from the public. Advocates had denounced the closure of the tourist attraction, which chronicles the lives of Edinburgh’s working class, characterizing the decision as an “act of social vandalism.” Council officials have since “identified funding” to enable the Royal Mile attraction to resume its former seven-day operating schedule. Located within the 16th-century Canongate Tolbooth, the museum had been temporarily closed in August as part of broader efforts to address its £26m budget gap. Nevertheless, critics, comprising residents, councillors, academics, and trade unions, voiced strong opposition to the proposals for its continued closure, especially after it was disclosed that these measures would yield annual savings of merely £260,000. Campaign groups asserted that the museum, established in 1984, constituted a crucial element of the city’s social fabric and was committed to chronicling the lives of its working population. They accused the council of trying to “expunge” the Scottish capital’s working-class heritage. Angus Robertson, the Scottish government’s Culture Secretary, had previously criticized the council for “shameful behaviour” and for possessing the “wrong priorities.” Council officials stated they are now actively seeking funding to enable the museum’s reopening, having taken public feedback into account. Councillor Val Walker, convener for culture and communities, commented: “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.” She further stated: “It’s a special museum where all exhibits are inspired by the voices of Edinburgh’s own people.” Concurrently, councillors in Edinburgh expressed apprehension that they were merely a “rubber stamp” for decisions made by officers confidentially. These assertions arose after it became known that the museum’s temporary closure had been implemented for two months before councillors were requested to endorse it in October. Conservative city councillor Phil Doggart remarked: “The paper that was presented to the culture and communities committee for taking a decision that had already been taken by officers was a disgrace.” Deputy Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron stated: “I know that there was a keenly felt sense of frustration across the council that regretfully the temporary closure of the People’s Story was taken without consultation with elected members.” Reporting by local democracy journalist Donald Turvill. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.