Cannock museum visitor numbers plummet

The museum in the heart of the beauty spot had 7,833 visitors between April this year, down from 10,316 for the same period last year.

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, which runs the site on behalf of Cannock Chase District Council, has said a change in the curriculum this year is a factor.

The change, it claims, has meant primary school youngsters are no longer studying modern history.

A report set to be presented to council bosses tomorrow said: "The new curriculum has come into force during the course of this year.

"Primary schools are now no longer studying modern history as the curriculum follows a chronological approach.

"This means that existing activities are no longer studied by primary schools.

"We are looking to develop our offer, however, the history curriculum is now not prescriptive in terms of subject areas and means we have to offer many bespoke

tours to fit in with individual school curriculum."

In the first quarter 1,811 pupils have been to the museum on school trips this year compared to 2,326 in 2014.

Visitor numbers also fell from the 2013/14 financial year to the 2014/15 year – but the figures are still up on 2012.

That was despite the launch of a new £100,000 Mining Memories exhibition.

WLCT said plans were in place to address the falling numbers.

A spokesman said: "We have worked closely with Cannock Chase District Council to increase visitor numbers at the museum since we took over management of the site in 2012.

"Last year, the museum welcomed almost 33,800 people through its doors, which marked an increase of over 1,000 compared to 2012.

"There has been a drop in visitors coming through the doors during April-June but we can identify reasons for this and are delivering an improvement plan to tackle it.

"For example, a change in the national school curriculum means we are redesigning programmes and working with schools to ensure we can offer them updated, appropriate education packages.

"In this same period from April-June, the total figure for interaction with the heritage service run by museum staff, including outreach work and communication online, actually rose by 22 per cent, proving that the museum does continue to be popular with local residents and visitors to the area."