Eastleigh Museum has been closed to the public since April 2022 following the withdrawal of One Community, a voluntary sector charity that works in the community and which provided front-of-house staffing for the museum. Hampshire Cultural Trust, which operates Eastleigh Museum on behalf of Hampshire County Council, undertook negotiations with interested parties to find a long-term solution for the museum’s future, however, a solution did not transpire. 

In January 2024, Hampshire Cultural Trust confirmed that Eastleigh Museum was at risk of permanent closure due to a proposed reduction in the organisation’s central funding from the Council under its budget review. The budget review was opened to public consultation and the Council subsequently carefully considered the feedback to inform their decision making on whether or not to proceed with the proposed options for savings to meet a revised £175 million shortfall in its budget for 2025-26.

The Council Cabinet met in October 2024, and whilst it opted not to progress with all the savings recommendations, the decision to cut Hampshire Cultural Trust’s funding by £600,000 from 1 April 2027 was ratified. 

Following this decision, Hampshire Cultural Trust sought approval from Hampshire County Council to give notice on the operation of Eastleigh Museum, which was granted in late 2024. Hampshire Cultural Trust will no longer be responsible for operating Eastleigh Museum with effect from 1 April 2025.

Hampshire Cultural Trust categorically does not want to be in a position where it has to consider exiting any of the venues that it operates, however, in light of the significant reduction to its funding, has no option but to do so. Eastleigh Museum is currently closed to the public and will not re-open for the remainder of Hampshire Cultural Trust’s operational responsibility.

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