“ This decision was not taken lightly ” – beloved museum to stay closed throughout 2025 after “difficult year”

Broseley pipeworks Having stopped operating as one of the last tobacco hut producers on the clay of the United Kingdom in the late 1950s.

Following a large renovation of the listed buildings of Grade II in the 1990s, it was redeveloped with almost all its original lights and accessories and is now the country’s only pipeworks with its original equipment.

While the last workers left the factory in the 1950s, the art of the pipe was kept alive by a team of volunteers since the museum’s opening in 1996.

But now, after what has been described as a “difficult” year for the Trust of the Gorge Ironbridge Museum (IGMT), the decision was made not to reopen at all in 2025.

IGMT’s acting chief executive officer Karen Davies said that the decision “had not been taken lightly” and had been made in response to the “difficult financial situation” in the face of the organization Benefit.

She said: “We understand the disappointment of the people that Broseley Pipeworks will not open in 2025. We also completely appreciate the importance of the city of the city and for many interested parties beyond the Shropshire.

“The decision not to open Broseley Pipeworks was not taken lightly and is in response to the difficult financial situation in which the trust, an independent charity, is found.

“2024 was a difficult year for the trust. In addition to many other museums and attractions of visitors, we have experienced figures from lower visitors to the lower ones, and like around 60% of our income comes from the sale of tickets, any drop in visitors has a dramatic impact.

“In addition, as we pass in 2025, we continue to be affected by the impact of the cost of living crisis and significant cost increases in all areas of organization.”

Ms. Davies has decided to reassure residents that the fact that the museum will not open would not put buildings or collections in danger, and said they would continue to be taken care of by the trust.

“Nor does it mean that the pipeworks are closed” indefinitely “,” she added.

“While in the short term, we cannot modify our decision, we are considering various options to allow Pipeworks to open in 2026. If something changes in 2025 or if there is other information to relay, we will update interested parties.

“In the meantime, we appreciate the continuous support of our visitors, volunteers, friends and local communities to help us carry out our heritage and education conservation work all year round.”

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