A BELOVED British museum has been forced to shut permanently after the building was deemed unsafe.
The museum is dedicated to preserving over 50 historic trams – an integral part of the town’s transport heritage.
Electrical faults in the building have made Blackpool‘s Tramtown museum uninhabitable to the public, a structural engineer’s survey said.
The former working tram depot dates back over 100 years, becoming a dedicated museum in 2021 following seven years of heritage tours.
The museum had previously been given a £50,000 lifeline from the Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund to fix the major electrical faults in the building.
Blackpool Council suggested these repairs would allow the museum to reopen for a short term period.
However, a video from April 28 on the Tramtown YouTube channel revealed the building could not be used, leaving volunteers concerned how they were previously allowed into the building given how unsafe it was.
This unique museum gave a rare insight into the history of Blackpool’s trams and illuminations, welcoming over 500 visitors in its opening week.
Affordably priced at £5 per ticket, or £2.50 for children, the museum included a small, donation-based cafe, built for visitors less than a year before its closure.
Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams said: “While the work was ongoing fixing the electrics at Tramtown, an independent structural engineer carried out a survey of the building.
“That independent report has come back saying the building is unsafe.
“The only public entrance is unsafe and we can’t gamble with the safety of volunteers and visitors by opening an unsafe building.”
Blackpool council leaders now hope to submit a joint funding bid and steering group to maintain a long-term future for the museum.
“I want to make very clear that this is not the end of heritage trams in Blackpool. The news will double our resolve to set up a joint steering group to create a better future for Tramtown and our historic trams,” Williams continued.
Blackpool Transport’s new managing director, Lea Harrison, said: “Blackpool is as famous for its historic trams as it is for its tower and the Pleasure Beach and we are fully committed to preserving the town’s rich tramway heritage for future generations to enjoy.”