Lockdown- hit London Transport Museum launches public appeal

HAVING lost £ 1.5million in its 40th anniversaryseasondue to the Covid- 19 lockdown, LondonTransportMuseum has launchedapublicappeal to finance its future.

It costs £ 25,000 each day to open the Covent Garden museum, the heritage showcase for the world’s greatest tube system, and it raises 80% of its income through ticket sales, its shop, venue hire and fundraising.

However, it has received no visitors since its doors closed in March due to the pandemic, and is nowasking people to donate towards its future as it plans to reopen.

Museum director Sam Mullins OBE said:“We know that London Transport Museum brings so much joy to somany people, and we can’t wait to welcome our visitors back to experience all it has to offer – from our historic vehicles and art and design treasures, to our Depot in Acton and our Hidden London tours. During this time of such great uncertainty, reopening our doors comes with big financial challenges.

“Donations big or small will help to ensurewe can continue sharing our wonderful museum with people. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has already donated during the lockdown.”

It is planned that the museum, which receives around 400,000 visitors annually, will reopen in the autumn. Research undertaken in 2015 estimated that the museum contributed an annual spending impact of £ 7.7 million per year and estimated gross annual visitor impact of £ 13.9 million in London.

➜ Donationsmaybemadeat ltmuseum. co. uk/ appeal