Key facts
- Museums and galleries spent £29 million on repairs from 2022 to 2024.
- The V&A spent £8.8 million on refurbishments.
- The Imperial War Museum spent over £16 million on building work.
- The Tate spent £4.2 million on maintenance.
- National institutions require sustained investment to remain open to the public.
Britain's museums and galleries have spent £29 million on essential repairs and maintenance over the past three years, with a significant portion of the costs covered by taxpayer-funded grants. Institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Galleries, and Imperial War Museum incurred these expenses to ensure their historic buildings remained safe and accessible for visitors. The V&A spent £8.8 million on refurbishments, the Imperial War Museum over £16 million on building work, and the Tate £4.2 million on upkeep. Sharon Heal of the Museums Association emphasized the need for sustained investment in these historically significant buildings, noting that regional museums face even greater repair backlogs. Chris Davison, CEO of NavLive, suggested that AI could help reduce maintenance costs and speed up surveys. Simon Thurley, chair of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, described the current state of heritage buildings as the worst in 50 years, attributing it to budget cuts and rising operational costs.