27 July 2020 | London Transport Museum
- 80 per cent of London Transport Museum’s income was cut off after closing its doors in March due to the coronavirus pandemic
- After months without visitors the Museum has lost £1.5m and is asking people to donate towards its future as it plans to reopen
- To donate visit: ltmuseum.co.uk/appeal
London Transport Museum, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, is asking people to donate towards its future as it plans to reopen in the Autumn. Since closing its doors in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Museum has lost £1.5m and counting.
It costs £25,000 each day to open London Transport Museum and unlike national museums it does not receive regular central government funding. As a charity, the Museum raises 80 per cent of its income through ticket sales, its shop, venue hire and fundraising. But with no visitors or events for almost four months, the Museum is now asking its loyal visitors and the public to show their support and donate towards its future as it plans to reopen.
Donations – big or small – will make a huge difference by helping the Museum to care for its world-leading collection, continue its family activities and deliver its vital skills and employability programmes for young Londoners.
Sam Mullins OBE, Director of London Transport Museum said: ‘We know that London Transport Museum brings so much joy to so many people, and we can't wait to welcome our visitors back to experience all it has to offer – from our historic vehicles and art and design treasures, to our Depot in Acton and our Hidden London tours. But during this time of such great uncertainty, reopening our doors comes with big financial challenges. Donations, big or small, will help to ensure we can continue sharing our wonderful Museum with people. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has already donated during the lockdown and to everyone who will donate as we launch this new fundraising campaign.’
London Transport Museum – including its Hidden London exhibition in the Global Gallery – will reopen to the public in the Autumn.
The Museum, which welcomes 400,000 visitors annually, also has a Depot in Acton Town, west London, and runs the popular Hidden London tours of disused Underground stations. The Museum’s Depot will open with a new ten-day summer family fun season in August.
London Transport Museum cares for 500,000 historical transport treasures and objects, including the first prototype Routemaster bus, a steam locomotive from the world’s first underground railway and one of the best collections of commercial poster art and design in the world.
Each year the Museum’s charitable learning programmes get 65,000 children, young people, parents and teachers engaged with STEM careers and support young Londoners into transport jobs and apprenticeships.
To donate visit: ltmuseum.co.uk/appeal
Donations raised will support the running of the Museum.