Heritage chiefs have been accused of using a ’specious’ argument to support plans to close down the folklife gallery at the Manx Museum.

For decades, the basement of the museum in Douglas has featured static displays of Manx life from an earlier era, popular with generations of visitors.

But Manx National Heritage wants to replace the gallery with a display on the TT. It says that Manx folk life is well represented at Cregneash.

A petition has been launched to save the folklife gallery and has been signed by more than 2,900 people.

The gallery is expected to close in January and the new TT display opened by summer 2022.

In Tynwald on Tuesday, a number of members criticised the proposal, while Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly - who heads up MNH’s sponsoring department - appeared keen to distance the government from the decision.

Ann Corlett (Douglas Central) said: ’The wider issue here is an existential one.

’What better represents the island, its folk life or the TT?

’To argue you want the former to go to Cregneash is a little specious. Our national museum should have a place for all of this under its own roof.’

Juan Watterson (Rushen) agreed: ’Obviously you can come to Cregneash for a fantastic immersive experience, but in terms of making sure that that is a high part of visible Manx history in town - because being frank there are plenty of places you can go in this island to see TT and its history.’ Earlier, Mr Skelly offered a response on behalf of MNH, following a request for a statement from Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew).

The gallery, which was created in the 1930s and modified in the 1950s, was no longer fit for purpose, he said. ’Many of the stories it told originally are now told elsewhere, most notably Cregneash,’ he added.

’The current displays do not meet the modern standards of display and interpretation.’

He said MNH recognised the ’strong emotional attachment’ people had to the gallery. Options to redisplay some of the current elements at other sites are being examined,’ he said.

However, he added that his ’hope’ was the trustees would ’take on board’ calls for a folklife display to be kept at the national museum.