KIDDERMINSTER’S much-loved Museum of Carpet has called on people to help keep its part of the town’s story alive after it reopened last Saturday.
It came just over three months after it ‘closed for good’.
The museum at Stour Vale Mill, Kidderminster, which has served as a centre of learning, culture and heritage, was thought to have closed for the final time in December after ‘significant financial challenges.’
However, an outpouring of public support for saving the venue, the only one of its kind in Britain, led to volunteers holding discussions to open the museum as much as possible and they were helped by a one-off £50,000 cash injection from Wyre Forest District Council.
The museum will now be open between 10am and 2pm every Saturday and Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the Museum of Carpet said: “The re-opening is an important milestone on a long journey with lots of twists and turns.
“There is no charge, although we are absolutely dependent on donations to keep the museum going for the long-term and are happy to accept both cash and card.
“Every penny goes toward keeping this part of the Kidderminster story alive.”
Visitors to the museum were thrilled to be able to enjoy looking around it once again.
One took to social media to say: “Our visit to the Kidderminster Carpet Museum was even better than we anticipated.
“All the staff were absolutely lovely – so patient with the children and incredibly kind throughout our visit.
“We’re really grateful for the warm welcome and would definitely recommend a visit.”
The museum holds a large collection of images and records relating to the town’s carpet industry and it also hosts a wide range of activities, events, and workshops.
It opened in 2012 and is the only museum in the UK dedicated to carpet and carpet making.
