A six-week public consultation has been launched into plans to charge people living outside Leeds £8 to visit historic Kirkstall Abbey.
The consultation gives people the chance to say what they think about the proposed introduction of a charge for those coming from outside Leeds to explore the historic abbey.
The proposals would see the council make an extra £160,000 per year from April 2022
The proposal has been put forward as part of the council’s annual budget for 2022/23 and, if adopted, would contribute to the estimated £65.4million which the authority needs to save in the next financial year.
The consultation will ask for feedback on plans to introduce a charge of £8 for those not registered as Leeds council tax-payers. Entry would remain free for Leeds residents, with proof of address required on entry.
Some income received from the charges will be reinvested in improvements at the site, including a renovated public café and new audio tours of the abbey.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said:
“The introduction of new or additional charges at any of our sites or attractions is not a decision we’ll ever take lightly, but the harsh reality is that we’re facing budget pressures the likes of which we have never seen and across the council, we need to think of new and innovative ideas to help generate essential extra income and meet the daunting challenges of the coming years.
“With this proposal, we have tried to strike the delicate balance between providing an accessible and affordable visitor experience for the people of Leeds while also ensuring we have a robust and sustainable strategy in place to fund the protection, preservation and enhancement of this historic site.
“We really want to hear what visitors think of these proposals and I’d encourage as many people as possible to get involved, make your voice heard and help us to shape the future of the abbey.”
The consultation will run until 20 February, 2022. To take part and have your say visit the consultation website.
There are also early proposals to relocate the café from Abbey House Museum to the visitor centre at Kirkstall Abbey, with the aim of making an additional £90,000 per year from 2023.
West Leeds Dispatch‘s Cutswatch series has been following proposed council budget cuts and building sales over the past 12 months here.