Abbey House Museum public meeting discusses future plans

Words: Angela Harrison

Photos: Kelvin Wakefield

A public meeting heard of plans to ‘reimagine’ Abbey House Museum, embedding ‘children’s play’ at its heart.

Sunday’s meeting also heard about proposals by Kirkstall Brewery to include a ‘brewseum’ and bar/restaurant at Abbey House.

As reported last week, Abbey House Museum will be receiving part of a £952,000 citywide grant awarded to Leeds Museums & Galleries from Arts Council England. 

The funding will be going towards developing and safeguarding the museum’s long-term future, after it was saved in February from potential closure which would have saved the council £160,000 per year.

After a community-led backlash, the museum received a reprieve and looks forward to a solid future, as it approaches its centenary in 2027. 

Sunday’s meeting was chaired by Councillor Hannah Bithell (Lab, Kirkstall) and she was joined by senior council officers.

The council shared their plans for the museum’s future, some of which was outlined in May.

Aside from developments at the museum itself, a proposal from Kirkstall Brewery has been received by Leeds City Council to make use of the Gatehouse, where the cafe was previously based.

The proposal is to use the space after-hours (weekday and weekend evenings) as a bar and restaurant with an associated ‘Brewseum’, which would be separate from the museum itself. 

The Brewseum would tell the story, in words and exhibits, of the history of beer brewing in Leeds starting with the Cistercian Monks of Kirkstall Abbey through to the present day. 

Rob Warrilow from Kirkstall Breweries, attended the meeting and said the company ‘likes to invest locally, putting the community first and providing what people enjoy’.

He said the organisation has a penchant for old, attractive buildings and they would like to support ongoing services in the museum and that this would be a ‘partnership proposal’ rather than a takeover. 

Mr Warrilow added: “Although we’re very excited about the project I think it might be a little premature to say too much definitively about the project.” 

Kate Fellows, Head of Learning & Access, told attendees that since the first public meeting – where many suggestions were made by the community to safeguard Abbey House – the museum has worked extensively with colleagues across the council and followed up on the ideas put forward.

A new development plan for the future direction of the building is centred on ‘play for children’, as they are transported to the 1880s. 

Additionally, historically accurate Victorian costumes are being made and ready soon for visitors to try on and have their photos taken in the Victorian Street. 

Lisa Broadest, Head of Operations and Enterprise, said now that funding is secured, there will be a ‘reimagining of Abbey House Museum’. They are working with a design company Creative Core, which specialises in historical experiences. 

The aim is to embed ‘play’ throughout the museum and focus on ‘identity and sustainability’.

The collections, displays and experiences in the museum will be developed on key themes with a strong focus on intergenerational play (parents and grandparents will say ‘I used to have one of those!’) 

Research will be made to ensure diverse stories are being told, and broadsheet newspapers will be displayed to explain the stories behind the collections. 

There will be a concentration on how to develop a stronger marketing strategy, including how best to use social media and move towards digital marketing, as well as rolling out more leaflets across the city.

David Hopes, Head of Services, said visitor numbers have increased 45% since the start of the year when the museum was well-publicised during the campaign to save it from closure. 

The museum’s opening hours are also under review, with an aim to open earlier on a Saturday (currently 12pm). 

During the meeting a question was asked regarding “brown road signs” – these are the road signs that direct traffic to local tourist attractions. Currently there are none for Kirkstall Abbey, but they are on the way.

These will be placed on as many road junctions as possible and the locations are being decided by the Highways Agency. Funding for these is being provided by the Friends of Leeds City Museums. 

Jane Walne, Chief Officer, Operations and Culture, concluded the meeting with a timely reminder that on 13 July 2026, it will be 400 years since Leeds was given its Royal Charter from King Charles I in 1626, which formally incorporated the Borough of Leeds. 

This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate sites like Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Mills and to work to support them moving forward, ‘with thanks to the hard work of capable staff so that we can look at the next 400 years. 

Ms Waine added: “We have an opportunity now to set up a future direction and reimagine Abbey House Museum to something quite special. 

“Our past, and our grandparents’ past, brings together a great energy for the site. Credit goes to the locals and those on the ground, and so we have an opportunity to look forward constructively towards a long-term future.” 

At the beginning of the meeting, a minute’s applause was held by all in memory of Dianne Riding who sadly passed away in August.

Dianne was a main force in the campaign to save Abbey House Museum from closure and was passionate around the focus on children’s play, immersing into history without the need for electronics, and maintaining the feel of the Victorian streets.  

Dianne attended the ‘Save Our Museum’ protest in January this year, and addressed the crowd as Miss Choakumchild, a Charles Dickens character, and was fantastic! 

After the protest, she worked tirelessly behind the scenes in the weeks leading up to the decision to keep the museum open. 

Dianne will be missed, and remembered by many as the key driver in saving Abbey House Museum. 

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