ADMISSIONS - BEST YEAR EVER!
Although figures have yet to be finalised, it is now clear that the Museum has had its best year ever for visitor numbers.
The big growth was on non-event days when visitor numbers have doubled since the opening of the Power Hall. This is only partially due to the additional opening days in March and November, and on summer Wednesday afternoons. The new days were distinctly patchy, some poor and, just when you thought you'd got the measure of it, some surprisingly good. It is, however, only the first year of these extra days.
Particular tribute must be given to Fred Withers who manned the admissions kiosk on non-event days from one end of the season to the other, rain or shine, allowing others to get on with other work. Thanks, Fred.
A popular facility on certain of the non-event days was the early afternoon bus ride. Many volunteers helped here, but there should be special mention of Kevin Hill. Experience this year tells us to revise the bus to Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays in July and August. It will therefore not be advertised to run in May and June, but the Sunday operation is additional. Previously it has not been advertised to run on Sundays due to concern about staffing; this worry remains.
The shop and cafeteria were also open on many non-event days so thanks to those who provided the staffing in 2008 even though trade was often discouraging. Non-event day patronage is likely to grow through word-of-mouth recommendation and the café and shop provide an important part of the visitor experience. Increasing admissions should bring extra trade to the café and shop on non-event days but it will take a bit of time.
The event days continue to be vital to successful overall figures. Despite disastrous weather on many of our early event days, the two additional days for the Morris J vans meant that major event attendance figures recovered. They have still to overtake the Midland Red centenary years of 2004-5, however. Better weather and the local newspaper publishing the booked adverts would help in 2009, please. With the Power Hall exhibition, it is clear that people are becoming more willing to visit us on non-event days. The uneven spread of our visitors, particularly the sometimes overwhelming numbers on Bank Holiday Mondays, has been a concern for years so we shouldn't complain if we are actually successfully spreading them out better!
Although not yet a major contributor to the figures, Group Visits are beginning to grow strongly under the careful stewardship of John Rollings, assisted by the team of Museum Guides.
Thanks to everybody who has contributed to the excellent year we have had. Will recession make 2009 tougher, or will we be seen as a cheaper attraction to others? We will know by the end of next year.
Malcolm Keeley
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
