The Bath Preservation Trust has welcomed the National Trust’s recently announced plans to transform the Assembly Rooms in Bath to create a new immersive visitor experience.
Earlier this month, The National Trust announced plans to take over the running of Bath’s Assembly Rooms and transport visitors back to Georgian Bath from March 2023.
The Bath Preservation Trust has said it welcomes the opportunity for the National Trust to work in partnership, rather than in competition, with other museums and attractions across the city.
Claire Dixon, Director of Museums for Bath Preservation Trust (BPT) said: “The National Trust is already an important contributor to the City’s cultural and visitor experience with the Skyline and Prior Park Landscape and we welcome the opportunity of working more closely with them.
“In particular the physical location of the Assembly Rooms, so close to our museums at No. 1 Royal Crescent and the Museum of Bath Architecture, presents significant opportunities for us to work together to provide a wider range of visiting opportunities to our members and visitors from both our organisations.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council has less than four years to find a new home for the world-famous Fashion Museum, which will have to leave after the National Trust invoked a break clause in their lease for the Assembly Rooms.
In a statement, the Bath Preservation Trust said it “recognises the importance of the Fashion Museum and its extensive collection to the City and has enjoyed a close working partnership with them for many years.”
“The free access offered to BANES Discovery Card holders to the Assembly Rooms and the museum, alongside the range of community groups that rely on the space there has become an important part of Bath’s cultural offer.”
Speaking about the continued support the Bath Preservation Trust will give the Fashion Museum, Claire said: “BPT will fully support any efforts to relocate this collection rather than see public access lost.
“We will be doing what we can, to support colleagues at BANES Heritage Services as they consider the alternatives for the collection.”