LAUNCESTON’S museum could benefit from having a full time director, a meeting heard from a business consultancy representative last week.

Kevin Brownridge, of business consultancy Perfect Moment, gave a presentation to Launceston Town Council after Perfect Moment had been commissioned by the town council to look at its assets — the Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall and Lawrence House Museum — and to report back on the financial implications if the town council were to take on the running of the town’s library (see story, back page).

Mr Brownridge told the meeting the museum attracts 7,000 visitors, which he said ‘isn’t brilliant’ and a ‘bit underperforming’, adding Helston’s museum attracts 17,000 and Bodmin’s 12,000.

He added: “We think it could benefit from a new, more business focused, approach — that would include employing a full time director. That needs an investment but I think in three to five years’ time it will pay more for itself.

“It’s a good museum, incredibly well looked after, the volunteers do a really good job.

“If you want it to be both slightly better used and less of a drain on council resources I think you have to consider how to move forward.”

Launceston’s Museum is housed in a Georgian house built in 1753, located in a street, which John Betjeman described as ‘having the most perfect collection of 18th century townhouses in Cornwall’. 

It is located in Castle Street, and was built by former Mayor Humphrey Lawrence. The property is owned by the National Trust, but is leased to the town council, which is responsible for its maintenance and upkeep.

The museum’s honorary curator on a small honorarium, Jake Jackson, told the Post before he came to the museum 10 years ago, the museum used to attract 3,500 visitors a year — half of the number of visitors the museum is currently seeing.

Mr Jackson said: “It is the only thing the [town] council run which brings outsiders into the town.”

The museum is open until Friday, October 28, this year, all bank holidays and on the following Saturdays: May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10 and October 8. Admission is free and donations are appreciated. The hours of opening are Monday to Friday 10.30am to 4.30pm, last entry 4pm.