A FAMOUS London-based tourist attraction could start charging visitors.
Ranked among the city’s top highlights, the landmark has been free to the public since it opened in 1759.
Older than the United States, the popular attraction has always been accessible to the public for London residents and tourists alike.
Every year, the iconic destination opens its doors to an average of six million visitors, coming from all over the world.
However, the British Museum can now charge tourists to view its contents.
The museum was the first of its kind, presenting all areas of human knowledge.
Exhibits at the museum feature everything from ancient Greek sculptures to Egyptian ruins.
The former acting director of the British Museum said tourists should pay $25 for entry.
Sir Mark Jones’ suggestion comes in the wake of the attraction’s controversial $64 million deal with BP to fund renovations.
“The British Museum is too small to do its job,” he said Sunday times.
“A master plan would include an increase in space and more space designated for visitor facilities.”
According to Jones, who took charge last year, the budget needed for the project will have to come from the public.
He explained that financing the renovation through additional taxes was not considered viable given that “public finances are very overburdened”.
Instead, he recommended charging an entrance fee for museum visitors.
Currently, the permanent installations are free for the public to view, but there is a fee for non-members who wish to visit the special exhibits.
Jones highlighted that the suggested fee should be considered “reasonable”, given the similar prices charged for entry to the Louvre, in Paris, and the Acropolis Museum, in Athens.
RENEWAL PLAN
He explained that British tourists and those aged 25 and under would still get free entry to the museum under the plan.
Jones said the entrance fees would help fund the museum’s extensive $512 to $640 million renovation plan.
He added that the admission fee would also fund other projects, reducing entry prices for special exhibitions.
Jones, who took over as director in August 2023 after 1,500 objects went missing from the museum, suggested that other free London attractions also consider charging entry fees.
He cited the National Gallery, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum among his recommendations.
Nicholas Cullinan was named permanent director of the museum in March.
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