Nicholson gallery and museum to reopen
'The tourist office was located in a prime location in Market Place. It was moved to a hidden location'
The continued closure of the Nicholson Museum and Art Gallery and the location of the Tourist Information Office in Leek, Staffordshire was at the centre of a debate last week.
The debate also focused on the possible loan of items from the world renowned Victoria and Albert Museum in London with an idea of forming an exhibition around that cultural icon of the late Victorian period William Morris using items from their Wardle Collection.
In a written question to the leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council at last week’s meeting of the authority’s service delivery overview and scrutiny panel, Councillor Bill Cawley said: “My wife and I spent a day in Bollington recently. We visited the Discovery Centre, a local history museum, in the Clarence Mill which has been open since the summer and which is funded by local authorities in East Cheshire.
“Other museums and heritage centres are open in close proximity to Leek and have been for some time in other towns and cities in Staffordshire as well as Cheshire and Derbyshire.
“Why does the Nicholson Museum and Art Gallery remain closed to the detriment of tourism in Leek as well as handicapping local history and family research?”
In reply, the leader Councillor Sybil Ralphs, said: “The Nicholson is closed as we do have a responsibility of care to our staff due to Covid-19.
“The good news is that it is reopening in February. There are future ambitious programmes of events in there. The future is bright for The Nicholson.”
Speaking at the meeting on behalf of Councillor Cawley, Councillor Mike Gledhill said that Mr Cawley had written to the Victoria and Albert Museum for items to be loaned to form an exhibition at The Nicholson.
He said: “Last Spring Councillor Cawley wrote to Tristram Hunt director at the Victoria and Albert Museum and secured items on loan from the Wardle collection for a William Morris/Wardle exhibition in the Staffordshire Moorlands as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee .
“Despite many emails there has been no answer back.”
In reply Councillor Ralphs said: “Councillor Cawley never contacted me over this. Plans are a foot for an exhibition but we have a programme in place for the next 12 months.”
With regard to the tourist information centre, councillor Gledhill said it was so important to the area.
He said: “The tourist office was located in a prime location in Market Place. It was moved to a hidden location. Something needs to happen. We need a proper tourist information office.”
Replying on the future of the tourist office, Councillor Ralphs said: “When the tourist information office was in Market Place it cost the council £19 every time someone walked in. It was moved to an attractive part of The Nicholson building.
“We have looked into better ways, and the tourist office will move into Moorlands House. There will be good signage and people will have access on one level which will be much easier for people. We will be bringing a report to the council.”
