Re-Opening Plans are Afoot...

Please Keep 2 Metres Apart Floor Graphic StickerWe are currently looking at plans to reopen. As a charity, reliant on income from admissions, it has been a difficult few months. We have missed two periods when we receive quite a few visitors - Easter and May half term. Although we have accessed the Govt's furlough scheme and the small business grant, deferred HMRC payments and have rates relief for this year, things are tough. So we are keen to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Government guidance is currently suggesting 4th July, but this is not definate. However, we need to start planning and working towards an opening date - the 4th July is the earliest date that we can go for.

Of course, reopening will not be straight forward. We sit within the English Heritage managed site of Carlisle Castle and need to work with them to ensure that visitors receive the same message from both organisations. There are open spaces on-site, but we have a small building. We need to reassure visitors that we have their safety at heart before we throw open our doors. Ensuring social distancing will prove challenging, so sticky tape on the floor and clear directions are the order of the day. Hand sanitiser, regular cleaning, staff working from home where possible...these are all things that both ourselves and other businesses are making their new 'normal.' What do we do about the shop? How do we operate the card machine? As I walk round the building, all these questions emerge and need solutions.

One really important consideration is the safety of the Museum staff. Dedicated and passionate about the Museum, the staff are keen and eager to get back to work but a thorough risk assessment and clear working practices need to be in place to protect them too. We have become used to a weekly catch-up online - this may continue with our team meetings. We have managed using laptops at home - some staff will continue to work on and off from their home. Sadly, our regular activities that we have scheduled will remain on hold. We will continue to engage with audiences on social media, but must defer our programme of talks, workshops and veterans lunches until we can find safe ways to host these. It may take a few months to re-establish some sort of programme but as we get used to a new way of operating, so we will find new ways to deliver our regular programme.

So watch this space...

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