Buxton Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG), which is run by Derbyshire County Council (DCC), was suddenly closed on 1st June 2023 with DCC citing temporary closure due to the discovery of dry rot in the building’s structural timbers, posing a safety risk [ref]

With DCC’s finances in a difficult situation (an expected £46 million deficit for 2024-2025, now reduced to £33m [ref] – and associated spending freeze), there is real concern that Peak Buildings, which houses BMAG, will remain closed for the foreseeable future whilst the dry-rot is (or is not) addressed and that no alternative venue will be found.

Objects held at BMAG belong to the people of Buxton. For 130 years it has been at the heart of the community, benefitting its residents and visitors alike, and being used by people of all ages. We can’t let the museum become a thing of the past!

BMAG, as a place to display our town and county's history and culture, brings considerable value to Buxton; as a place of education for schools, as a venue for the arts and for the visitor economy. According to the Annual Museum Survey [ref], the museum contributed nearly quarter of a million pounds to the local economy in 2021/22 [ref].

Several months on, DCC has yet to make a decision on its future and there has been no statement issued on its website since August 2023. DCC needs to know how strongly local people feel about BMAG and that doing nothing is not an acceptable option. Whether it reopens in Peak Buildings, or moves to another venue, BMAG must reopen.

Let DCC know how much Buxton Museum & Art Gallery means to you by showing your support and signing this petition which will be given to DCC.

A public event is being organised for early June 2024, the one-year anniversary of its closure, by the We Are Buxton (WAB) Community Forum, of which Vision Buxton is a key member.

Read more about BMAG and its closure on the Vision Buxton website: https://www.visionbuxton.co.uk/we-cant-let-the-museum-become-a-thing-of-the-past/

 

UPDATE (30.05.2024)

Thank you to everyone who has signed this petition. 

DCC has announced that BMAG will not be returning to Peak Buildings, which is to be put up for sale [ref]. 

This now raises concerns around the short-term and long-term future of BMAG, keeping the BMAG collections together and in Buxton and the future of Peak Buildings. 

Marking one year since its closure, WAB has planned for a show of solidarity and support for BMAG with a mass gathering on Saturday 8 June at 11am at Peak Buildings for a photo. Meet at 10.40am in The Green Man Gallery yard just round the corner. Please join us. 

WAB is in contact with DCC regarding how we move forward. 

 

Image: Buxton Museum and Art Gallery - June 2020. Source: Wikimedia Commons