Kidderminster's Museum of Carpet to reopen

The museum, based in Stour Vale Mill, off Green Street, will welcome visitors back for free from Tuesday.

As an independent charity, the closure of the Museum of Carpet in March put a lot of strain on the museum's immediate financial security. Trustees at the museum set up a CrowdFunding page which received a positive response from the community and extra support was provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

To thank the local community for their support over the last few months, the Museum of Carpet will be offering free admission for all visitors in July and August. Instead of asking for admission fees, the museum will have a donations box at the entrance that they ask visitors to contribute to to help ensure the future of the museum.

In line with Government guidance, new safety measures will be in place from Tuesday, including limiting the number of visitors permitted at one time, installing hand sanitiser stations and observing social distancing in all of the galleries. Prior to reopening, the museum has undergone thorough cleaning on all surfaces – organised by the National Carpet Cleaners Association, whose offices are now based within the museum.

All safety policies will be illustrated on posters displayed around the museum and on their website.

A spokesman for the Museum of Carpet said: "While no one knows what the future holds for the Museum of Carpet, right now it is offering local residents a bright, spacious, and engaging venue for a safe day out after months in lockdown. Support this local museum by visiting the attraction over the coming months, hire their rooms, book future visits, and join their digital community on social media."

The museum's summer exhibition Focus on Photographs, which was due to open in June, has been delayed until summer 2021.

In accordance with new measures, the museum is offering visitors to opportunity to book their visit in advance, by heading to museumofcarpet.org/book-here-2