Nearly half of the British public (49%) would support the introduction of entrance fees for museums if it was the only way to avoid cuts to opening hours and exhibitions, compared to 42% who would not, a recent survey on behalf of the Sunday Times has found.
National museums and galleries in the UK currently have free entry, but some have warned that they may have to reduce opening hours and reduce the size and scope of exhibitions if they are to remain free to visitors following spending cuts. But while many would support charges to prevent this happening, a significant 42% of the public would oppose such a change, even if it meant that opening hours and exhibits would suffer.
A compromise has been suggested, whereby museums and galleries would charge entry to foreign tourists, but not British nationals, after a model already in use in many other countries. This idea seems popular, with 68% saying they would support a similar system in the UK. 21% oppose the suggestion. Interestingly, Londoners like this idea the most, with 72% supporting charges for foreign nationals compared to just 58% of Scots.
