COUNCIL: MARLOWE CONTROL WOULD BRING CITY’S HERITAGE TO LIFE

Council bosses claim handing control of the heritage museum to the Marlowe Theatre will actually boost the presentation of the city’s history and open it up to far more people.

Despite only launching a public consultation into the proposal a few weeks ago, they say they have been working on it for many months and believe they have an exciting future lined up for the building.

Director of the city’s museums and galleries, Joanna Jones, said: “We will be collaborating with the Marlowe to particularly illustrate the literacy heritage of the city, which will bring some of the collections to life, instead of the existing, rather passive static experience.”

Marlowe general manager Paula Gillespie added: “We will still be custodians of the exhibits and the changes will allow us to actually enhance the interior architecture of the building.

“With the change of governance of the Marlowe Theatre to a trust and charitable status, we also plan to look for outside funding opportunities.

“It will appeal to a new, wider audience, using the collections as part of live performance.”

Some key exhibits of the heritage museum, like the Canterbury Cross AngloSaxon, will be moved to the Beaney, where it is planned to create a family gallery with exhibits like Bagpuss.

The closure will cost around £30,000, but the council insists none of the exhibits will be put into storage.

Mrs Jones also rejects claims that not enough was done to market the museum and boost visitor numbers.

“We did a rebranding exercise but there is only so much you can do with a Grade I-listed building,” she said.

Council spokesman Rob Davies also questioned the accuracy of the petition launched by Mr Bennett.

He said: “It does not give adequate context to our proposals and contrary to its claim, the building will not be closing.

“We want to make the most of this wonderful heritage asset and our aim is to increase the number of people who experience and enjoy it.

“Access to the collections will not only be preserved but enhanced.”

Picture: Rob Davies Jo Jones, council director of museums and galleries