A response to a Freedom of Information request has brought into question Manx National Heritage museum visitor numbers.

In a statement issued on March 2 to announced a trial period of Sunday openings at the Manx Museum, MNH stated: ’The Manx Museum first opened its doors to the public in 1922 and is now visited by in excess of 100,000 people each year.’

However, an FoI request by Isle of Man Newspapers, which asked for confirmation of visitor numbers for the museum over the past three years, has raised doubts about the accuracy of the 100,000 figure.

The FoI response revealed that in 2015, MNH counted 63,953 visitors into the museum, in 2016 this was 68,602 and in 2017 the number was 72,661, while the numbers represent an increase of 8,708 visitors over three years, this is still 27,339 shy of the number MNH claimed.

A spokesman for MNH has now explained this discrepancy, saying the 100,000 was an estimate, stating that ’estimating visitor numbers at a free attraction is complicated’.

range

She said: ’The Manx Museum has a range of users and visitors. These include tourists, local residents and school children.

’We also have regular library users and people who use the café and shop. We have programmes of special events and activities in our lecture theatre. In addition we hire out our facilities for seminars and conferences.

’Historically, we have relied on electronic counters to measure visitor footfall through our two entrances. These are only estimates and have to be adjusted to account for the other categories of users for example discounting staff and contractors, but adding school groups.

’In recent years we have remodelled one of our entrances and it has become clear that the methodology we use to estimate visitors and users needs to be updated.’

Despite the increased opening days, which are estimated to cost between £50,000 and £80,000, including marketing, staffing and other overheads, MNH has seen a real-terms cut in its annual budget.

From net approved budget of £4,411,000 in 2017/18, this years budget revealed MNH will have a net budget of £4,451,000. This will be an increase of £40,000 or 0.9%.

cut

However, due to the rise in inflation over the year of about 2%, this represents a real term cut.

In response to this, the MNH spokeswoman said: ’It is entirely correct that MNH’s revenue budget from government has not kept pace with inflation since 2009.

’As a result MNH has reduced its staffing levels and prioritised its day to day maintenance on buildings.

’However, the government has continued to support investment into new facilities and historic properties through the capital programme. In addition MNH has increased the amount of income it generates independently by raising ticket prices, investing in retail, renting out properties etc.’

Despite the fall in visitors to the island revealed last week, MNH visitor numbers did increase.

The trial Sunday openings, jointly funded by MNH and the DfE, began on Easter Sunday, April 1, and the Manx Museum will be open every Sunday 10am to 5pm through to March 31, 2019, as a ’significant addition to the exciting programme of events celebrating 2018 Year of our Island’.