Andover Museum’s future has been thrown into the spotlight as campaigners launch a petition calling for urgent action to safeguard the town’s heritage hub.
Although Hampshire County Council has agreed to slow planned funding cuts to Hampshire Cultural Trust, which runs Andover Museum, supporters fear the site could still be at risk without longer‑term financial security.
The petition, started by Test Valley Liberal Democrats, is calling for guarantees over the future of Andover Museum and the Museum of the Iron Age amid concern the venue could close as early as next year without further support.
Campaigners say this is about more than a building, arguing it is about protecting the place where Andover’s story is preserved, interpreted and shared with future generations.
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They describe the museum as a vital part of the town, saying: “The importance of cultural and heritage assets to a community cannot be overestimated.”
They added that Andover Museum “has played an important part in the cultural and heritage scene of our town” and is “a key cultural and heritage asset for Andover”.
The petition highlights what campaigners see as a lack of direct local authority funding for the museum and calls for stronger backing to safeguard its future, insisting: “Our local council should ensure its continued funding.”
Hampshire County Council agreed last week to slow proposed funding cuts to Hampshire Cultural Trust, giving the organisation more support and time to adapt as it works through significant financial pressures.
The decision was taken in recognition of the Trust’s role in running venues such as Andover Museum and the challenges it faces in the current funding climate.
Hampshire County Council’s nominated trustee and councillor for Andover West, Chris Donnelly, said: “We recognise its value to Andover and we will be working really closely with Test Valley Borough Council and other partners to try and secure its future.”
Housed in a former grammar school building in the town centre, the museum contains local history collections alongside the nationally significant Museum of the Iron Age, which explores the area’s prehistoric past and archaeological discoveries and attracts visitors from across the region each year.
Test Valley Borough Council councillor for St Mary’s ward, Iris Andersen, said: “We want to keep the museum as it is the history of Andover.
“All generations can enjoy the museum, I’ve been, my children have been and so have my grandchildren and it is an important part of the town.
“It is important that all generations and the future are able to know the history of Andover and visit the museum.
“As well as the history, the museum do a lot of activities around the area for people to enjoy.
“It is amazing what they’ve got and it is important to continue to visit and support it.”
Residents in Andover have also voiced their concern at the prospect of the museum closing.
David Tasker, 56, said: “It would be a real shame for the museum to go. I think that it is a key part of our history as a town. Past that it is also a place to visit in Andover and enjoy. We haven't got many local attractions.”
Shirley Temple, 72, said: “The museum has so much history and it is one of its kind with the Iron Age displays. It would be greatly missed if it left.”
Matt Savage, 24, said: “It's a place to visit and definitely something to do in town. In the summer it is great to bring the kids here and it is also a place where I should show my kids and they should show theirs one day.”
Residents are being encouraged to sign the petition in a bid to secure the future of the museum. It is available at testvalleylibdems.org.uk/campaigns/save-andover-museum
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