Museum expects to lose another £1m after refurbishment

THE River & Rowing Museum in Henley says it expects to lose more than £1million in the next financial year.

The 25-year-old museum in Mill Meadows opened in July for the first time in nine months following a £1.1 million refurbishment which included replacing the leaking roof.

This work, together with the lack of revenue during the closure, meant a trading loss of £1,159,000 in the year that ended on March 31, 2023.

The museum, which is a registered charity, says it expects a similar loss in the year ending on March 31 this year.

Museum director Steve O’Connor said: “Closing the museum for essential works was a tough choice but the right thing to do, even though it meant the museum has posted a significant loss because of the dual impact of being closed and the cost of the works.

“This investment was vital as we had to replace and repair aspects of the building that had come to the end of their natural life. We used the closure to invest in other areas and improve the visitor experience.

“Reopening with a significantly refreshed and refurbished building is our first step towards a successful future.

“I am hugely grateful to my team for all that has been achieved this year. More improvements are to come, especially around enhancing the galleries and the exhibition spaces.”

As well as having a new roof, the museum has installed a new lift, refitted its shop and café and replaced almost all its lights with LED bulbs.

The Wind in the Willows exhibit was renovated and a new family area, called Little Willows, was created on the museum’s first floor.

The Kirkham Gallery was refurbished and fitted with climate control technology, meaning it can receive exhibits from other museums and institutions. Five offices have been created and are being leased to businesses in order to provide additional income.

Other investments have been made in the museum databases, computers and office equipment.

Mr O’Connor said: “This year we will share more details about regrowth plans and how people can support the museum.

“Our commitment to being a highly valued cultural resource for the people of Henley and an education partner for local schools is at the heart of our offer, as is our focus on telling the story of our town, our river and the sport of rowing.

“We invite everyone to come and visit and see first-hand the improvements we are making.”

The trustees had hoped to re-open the museum by the beginning of April last year but water was still leaking into the building through the roof cavities.

The roof was dried out and replaced with one with a greater pitch and the building was made watertight. While closed, the museum undertook a cleaning and audit of its 30,000-strong collection.

As a result, it wants to correct the lack of female artists with permanent work on display in the building and a temporary exhibition called Unlocked has been created, which features artists from 1812 to 2012.

It now hosts a new café, called The Rowing Room, which is run by Lee Goodwin, who also runs the Velolife cycling cafés in Warren Row, Twyford and Wargrave.

In September, Princess Anne visited the museum to launch an educational programme for people with special educational needs and disabilities.

She learned more about the initiative, which is supported by Give Them a Sporting Chance, a charity of which she is a guardian.

She also unveiled a plaque to commemorate the anniversary of the museum, which was opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.

The museum, café and shop are open from 10am to 4pm from Thursday to Monday.