Three museums in the north of England may be forced to start charging or even close as a result of the deficit accrued by the Science Museum Group.

The operator of the National Rail Museum at York and Shildon, Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry (MoSI), and Bradford's National Media Museum has warned that it is “considering all options” to help tackle its debt ahead of Chancellor George Osborne's comprehensive spending review on 26 June.

These options are widely reported in national media to include either introducing entry fees or shutting down the museums altogether.

'Significant annual deficits' to come

A statement by the Science Museum Group (SMG) – known as the National Museum of Science and Industry prior to 1 April 2012 – says that despite cost reductions that include cutting the annual wage bill by £2m, each of the museums in question faces a “significant annual deficit” in 2014/15.

SMG also operates the Science Museum in London, and media reports suggest that the three attractions, which between them welcome over two million visitors a year, could shut in order to keep the institution in the capital open.

In its statement, SMG said: “The Science Museum Group has to address a large projected operating deficit from 2014 onwards and is assessing a range of options to address this situation.

“Despite making significant cost reductions we are still faced with a significant annual deficit next year and beyond because of cuts in Grant in Aid [from the Department of Culture]. The Group’s finances are expected to come under even greater pressure following the Spending Review on 26 June 2013.”

SMG's accounts for 2011/12 reveal an income of £62.2m with expenditure of £62.1m – although this does not include figures for MoSI, which only joined the Group last year.

£38.3m (61.6 per cent) of its income came from Grant in Aid, with £14m (22.5 per cent) from trading income and £7.3m from grants (11.7 per cent).

Group 'to look at further efficiencies'

The statement continued: “We have already undertaken a range of cost saving initiatives since the government cuts announced in October 2010, and we will look at further efficiencies to ensure that we continue to care for our collections and maintain our role in inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

The Group’s trustees will consider the plans in the autumn. Its board includes former BBC chairman Michael Grade, broadcaster Janet Street-Porter and University of Liverpool cice-chanceller professor Sir Howard Newby.

According to the most recent statistics from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, MoSI attracts approximately 830,000 visitors a year, with 700,000 and 600,000 coming to the National Rail Museum and National Media Museum respectively. The Science Museum, based in London’s Kensington, welcomes 2,989,000 through its doors annually.

Galloway among supporters rallying

Respect MP for Bradford West George Galloway announced on Twitter yesterday that he would be launching a campaign to keep the National Media Museum open.

Elsewhere, the Manchester Evening News has started a petition to save MoSI.

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