As the Museum emerges from what feels like a long winter of closure, we are preparing to return stronger and refreshed when we reopen our doors on 17 May 2021. As we once again look forward to welcoming you back, the period of closure has allowed us to review our priorities and attend to some overdue maintenance, with the immediate future of the Museum being secured by the Culture Recovery Fund grant we received from Arts Council England.
One of the Museum’s key priorities is the environment and our carbon output. Transport for London aim to be Zero Carbon by 2030 and at the Museum we are reviewing how we can reduce energy and utilities usage. While our utilities usage is down over the last 12 months, due to closure, we need to ensure that when we return we reduce our gas, electricity and water reduces from a normal year. Over the coming months, we will share more details about the measures we have taken so far and what we are planning to do in the future.
We have been looking at how we can make the Museum look refreshed and new when you return. We have painted most of the reachable parts of the Museum, we will have new toilet facilities by Canteen and by the cloakroom, interactive elements have been improved and we have installed new visitor information points so you can interact with parts of the collection. We also have new digital visitor signage around the Museum, some of which will talk through some of the great work we do with young people as part of our charitable objectives.
When you are able to return, all of the COVID secure procedures we had in place last year will remain, including a one way system throughout the Museum, hand sanitiser stations around the galleries, and an enhanced cleaning regime using hospital grade cleaning products.
Our staff will help ensure social distancing, but it will be a great time to come and visit, as the reduced capacity will allow you to spend time with our unique collection and our team who have been sharpening their knowledge, so please put that to the test and ask them questions!
Online booking is strongly advised as we will have reduced capacity. Please keep an eye on the website and book your tickets for a great day out at London Transport Museum.
The team and I cannot wait to welcome you back and as I have said before, you will help bring the soul back into the Museum. We have missed the fun and laughter of all of our visitors who make London Transport Museum such a special place to visit. When you come back, I hope you will be able to see the improvements we have made. Our doors will be open again soon, your support is as ever greatly appreciated and we are looking forward to the next chapter.