Archive - Friday, 31 January 2003


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Mueseum meeting called

VIEWS on the closure of the Cotswold Heritage Centre can be voiced at a meeting in Northleach next month.

Cotswold District Council has agreed to hold the meeting on February 13 at the Westwoods Community Centre.

Civic and business leaders called for the meeting to discuss the centre's future and the effect on tourism.

The meeting will be attended by CDC's chief executive Clive Abbott, council leader Dr Leslie Jones and heritage manager Andrew Grant.

The centre was discussed at a full Northleach Town Council meeting on Tuesday.

District councillor Matthew Banks said the centre was of enormous historical importance.

"The overview and scrutiny committee, which I chair, advised the executive committee to give the heritage centre another year to try to find new ways for it to bring in a greater income.

"This went to the executive committee and it decided to mothball the centre.

"I have made it clear that I don't support that action.

"I'm not a happy man and I don't think people in Northleach are either," he said.

Town councillor Roy Mustoe said the centre was "dull and lifeless" when it was open.

"It should be leased to the private sector to bring people through the door.

"It needs to be run by a manager with a commercial background, someone who knows how to make money," he added.

Town council chairman Alan Wellman added the centre is costing the district council £32,000 a year to maintain.

CDC closed the Grade II listed heritage centre on November 3 as part of £2 million cuts to save money.

Closure of the centre, a former 18th century prison, is expected to save £100,000 alone.

A CDC statement about the heritage centre is being circulated in the town in order to answer any questions before the public meeting takes place.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm.