Sheffield emergency services museum survival thrown into serious doubt

It had been a difficult and worrying time for NESM’s small team of staff and volunteers and at one point the very survival of the museum had been thrown into serious doubt.

The road to reopening had certainly been a rocky one but there was genuine optimism among the team as they prepared to welcome visitors once more. As chief executive Matthew Wakefield, reflecting on the ups and downs of the previous six months, told the Telegraph at the time: “We know we are not out of the woods yet. But the issues that we have faced in the last six months, and the changes we have made to increase our resilience, have put us in a much better position to tackle our next challenges; getting visitors back, staying Covid-safe and bringing in more income.”

And visitors did come back; in smaller numb ers, as expected, but people were visiting and enjoying their museum experience. During half-term week alone NESM welcomed more than 500 visitors through its doors and recorded several sell out days.

There was even an unexpected upside to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19 as the museum welcomed a higher than usual proportion of visitors from within South Yorkshire, suggesting that people were discovering the history and heritage on their doorstep rather than looking further afield.

Then the Prime Minister announced a second lockdown and the museum is now closed once more, just eight weeks after it reopened. It’s hugely disappointing for the team who worked so hard to bring the museum through its last closure, as well as for the visitors who were looking forward to exploring everything NESM has to offer.

This time, though, there is a sense that the museum is better placed for the challenge and that the lessons learned during its first closure will stand it in good stead.

Matthew said: “When the first lockdown was announced in March it all happened so quickly, and was so unprecedented, that it took everyone by surprise. This time I think we all knew a second lockdown was possible and were able to plan how we would deal with it.

“This year has shown us just how resilient and flexible we can be. As an independent, self-funded museum we are used to doing things on a tight budget and making quick decisions. Back in March we took action to refocus our budget, reduce costs, reallocate resources and tighten some of our procedures which means we are coming into this second lockdown running as efficiently as we ever have.”

NESM has also introduced new income streams to bring in additional funds. An online shop has been launched selling souvenirs and emergency services-related toys and gifts. Local artist Joe Scarborough has released limited edition prints of his work ‘Fire!’ in support of the museum and a charity calendar produced by canine fundraiser Mr Pelucchi - and featuring photos taken in the museum - will raise extra money for NESM and the Blue Light Charity.

The big difference this time around, though, is that the museum has finally been successful in securing emergency coronavirus funding after it was previously turned down for, or was ineligible for, any emergency support. In September it was announced that NESM was one of 445 heritage organisations across the country to receive a lifesaving financial boost from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, which is funded by Government and administered at arm's length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The museum is set to receive just over £100,000 from the fund. Matthew said: “In this financial year we expected to lose about £180,000 in income due to the pandemic, even before this second lockdown. We made it through the first six months by the skin of our teeth. The grant will cover the majority of our outgoings for the next six months, giving us an opportunity to recover financially and make sure we will be here for many years to come.”

The museum will remain closed for the rest of 2020. Visit www.visitnesm.org.uk.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.