The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum would like clarify some points raised recently in local media coverage for the benefit of our regular visitors, potential new visitors, stakeholders and peers.

As a non profit making charity we act responsibly to monitor and manage our financial position to ensure the best possible benefit for the people of Coventry and Warwickshire. Recent reports suggested that we are considering a charged entry to the art gallery and museum and a change to opening hours.  

 We can confirm that we have no intention of applying a charged entry to the museum or art gallery but like many galleries and museums, may consider charging for certain specialist exhibitions so that we can continue to bring the very best to Coventry.  The majority of our events, activities, and exhibitions will continue to be completely FREE of charge.

We can also confirm that we have been in consultation with staff and stakeholders for a number of months with regards to considering an alteration in our opening hours to better suit the needs of our visitors and operate on a most cost effective basis within the Herbert and the History Centre. The proposals we have put forward suggest reducing opening hours in the History Centre to 25 hours per week over 5 days Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30 until 3.30 as currently use on a Sunday is very limited. 

In 2009 more than 310,000 visitors attended the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum of which only approximately 20,000 wanted to visit after the 4pm.  We have therefore proposed realigning our opening hours to respond to this and to open from Monday to Saturday 10-4, and Sunday 12-4 in order that we can mange the service effectively having taken into account the funding reduction we receive from Coventry City Council.

By responding in this way we believe that we can maximise the access to our facilities, events, exhibitions and services, as it is felt the majority of the 20,000 people affected would have opportunity to attend at alternative times.

The Herbert, operated by Coventry Heritage and Arts Trust, is committed to ensuring equal and inclusive access to its collections and activities and feels that maintaining FREE access to the Art Gallery & Museum, the majority of its events, exhibitions and activities is paramount to delivering this vision.

None of these proposals has been finalised as we are engaged in a consultation process with staff and stakeholders but will issue further information as soon as decisions are made.