Edinburgh museum to reopen after public backlash

An Edinburgh museum that was temporarily closed in an effort to save money is due to reopen next month after a public backlash.

The city's council had planned for The People's Story to remain shut during the winter due to staff shortages and funding issues but it will now reopen on 2 December after it received "passionate feedback" from the public.

Campaigners had condemned the closure of the tourist attraction which charts the lives of Edinburgh's working class, describing the move as an "act of social vandalism".

Council officials have now “identified funding” to reopen the Royal Mile attraction to its previous seven-day schedule.

The museum, which sits in the 16th-century Canongate Tolbooth, was temporarily shut in August as part of efforts to bridge its £26m budget gap.

However critics, including residents, councillors, academics and trade unions hit out at the plans for it remain closed after it was revealed those measures would save just £260,000 per year.

Campaign groups said the museum, which opened in 1984, was a vital part of the city's social fabric and was dedicated to documenting the lives of its working people.

They accused the council of attempting to "expunge" the Scottish capital's working class roots.

The Scottish government's Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has previously accused the council of "shameful behaviour" and having the "wrong priorities".

Council officials said they were now working to source funding to facilitate the reopening of the museum after listening to the public.

Culture and communities convener Councillor 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."

She added: "It’s a special museum where all exhibits are inspired by the voices of Edinburgh’s own people."

Meanwhile, councillors in Edinburgh raised concerns that they were just a “rubber stamp” for decisions taken by officers behind closed doors.

The claims came after it emerged the temporary closure of the museum had been in place for two months before they were asked to approve it in October.

Conservative city councillor Phil Doggart said: “The paper that was presented to the culture and communities committee for taking a decision that had already been taken by officers was a disgrace.”

Deputy Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron said: “I know that there was a keenly felt sense of frustration across the council that regretfully the temporary closure of the People’s Story was taken without consultation with elected members.”

Reporting by local democracy journalist Donald Turvill.