Museum closure proposals on hold after objections

A controversial proposal to close a hometown museum dedicated to British explorer James Cook has been put on hold amid strong public opposition.

Thousands of people signed a petition against the plan to shut the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum as part of Middlesbrough Council’s draft budget proposals.

Mayor Chris Cooke told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the closure has been readdressed due to the depth of feeling against the plans.

The museum will open as normal in April while options are explored to secure its future, Mr Cooke said.

A council report outlining the mayor's changes to proposals said the decision will be deferred until 30 September while "alternative options" are explored.

Options include searching for an operator to run the venue, reducing running costs and developing a plan to attract more visitors, the council said.

The changes to the budget proposals came after a month-long public consultation which attracted more than 1,100 responses online, which was the highest number received by the Labour-led council in the past five years.

The mayor said he attended meetings about the plans and the feedback was taken on board.

“There was a real strength of feeling about this proposal but it was more of a willingness of people coming together to make other suggestions and 20 volunteers have come forward to help,” Mr Cooke added.

Meanwhile, the council said plans to introduce a £2 daily parking charge have been scrapped altogether.

The budget changes will be considered at a cabinet meeting next week, before the full council makes a final decision on 8 March.

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