Banbury Museum faces the threat of closure due to the removal of funding by Cherwell District Council. This would be a tragedy for Banbury. Please take the time to read the appeal on the museum website which tells you the ways in which you can help: https://www.banburymuseum.org/news/no-funding-no-museum/.

Time is very short. The council have released their budget consultation at the time of year when people are busiest, possibly in the hope that it will attract less scrutiny. If you are able to make time to complete the questionnaire, please do so, and do pay particular attention to question 15 with respect to the museum.

I have received the following email from the museum:

Cherwell District Council have launched a consultation with taxpayers concerning the budget for 2026/27 and 2027/28. This must be completed by Friday 19th December.

This proposes that from 1st April 2027, the Museum will receive zero funding from the Local Authority. The funding we receive pays our staffing costs, and for the cultural services we offer. With zero funding, Banbury Museum & Gallery will likely close soon after 1st April 2026, despite the promise of helping the Museum find a zero-funding model, something we firmly believe is unattainable. The Council has not consulted the Museum in regard to this.

The funding we receive from Cherwell District Council has enabled us to lever substantial funds from charitable trusts, the Lottery, the Arts Council and many others, allowing us to improve the Museum’s public spaces and services. All this investment and hard work is now in jeopardy. I attach our Impact Report BM&G 2025 that illustrates our work, and a paper that highlights some of our successes.

Please also see the letter sent from the Chair of the Banbury Museum Trust the Chair of Cherwell District Council.

Any support you are able to give is very greatly appreciated.