Overview
- Management has opened a voluntary exit scheme for all staff, with applications due by March 16 and decisions expected by the end of next month.
- If the scheme does not deliver sufficient savings, the gallery says compulsory redundancies may follow.
- The museum forecasts a deficit of about £2 million this financial year, rising to £8.2 million in 2026–27 without corrective action.
- Staff reductions are expected to save roughly £2.6 million to £3 million, with additional cuts likely to come from changes to programming.
- Options under review include fewer free and ticketed exhibitions, reduced international loans, and higher ticket prices, as visitor numbers remain below pre‑Covid levels and public funding of £32 million shows little sign of increasing.