The council has announced that The People’s Story Museum will reopen to the public on Monday 2 December after a temporary closure.
This matter is due to be considered at the full council meeting on 7 November. Whether or not that report will continue to be debated in full is not clear, as at the time of writing the motions and amendments to the report have not yet been published.
The Museum, which offers an insight into the lives of Edinburgh’s working-class people from the 18th to the late 20th century, was temporarily closed. This sparked protest and the council said it was “due to staff shortages”. It will now reopen on its regular seven-day schedule from Monday 2 December.
The council also says it is working on a new operating model for the Museums and Galleries service aimed at enhancing the experience for residents and visitors, increasing revenue, and focusing more on the city’s historic collections.
The service has faced increased budget pressures this year, and the council says it was this which also led to a proposal to close the People’s Story Museum during the autumn and winter. However, based on public feedback, officers have been working to identify funding and resource which will facilitate the reopening of the museum.
Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker, said: “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.
“It’s a special museum where all exhibits are inspired by the voices of Edinburgh’s own people, drawn from oral histories and written accounts to share authentic stories. The collections showcase this with items such as Friendly Society regalia, banners, and materials representing Edinburgh’s diverse communities. We look forward to welcoming visitors back through the museum’s doors.”
A report on the new operating model for Museums and Galleries will be brought to December’s meeting of the Culture and Communities Committee.
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