Staff at Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft made redundant

Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft’s “temporary” closure looks set to continue beyond 2026, with staff made redundant last week and trustees continuing to explore alternative business models.

The museum closed in February for a “period of reimaging” to plan a new business model. At the time, the museum’s trustees told Museums Journal that the closure was a temporary measure and that no decisions had been made regarding redundancies.

But it has now confirmed that the closure is likely to extend beyond 2026. Following an independent HR process, all staff have been made redundant and volunteers have been released from their duties.

In a statement, the board of trustees said it has been undertaking emergency fundraising and developing a financial recovery plan since closing in February.

It has also received grants to “support the safe closure of the museum, ensure the collection and building remain secure, and meet all outstanding creditor obligations”.

Chair of trustees, Jo Myles, said: “Museums and cultural organisations across the country are facing increasing pressure as public funding reduces, costs rise and competition for charitable support increases.

“Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft has not been immune to these challenges. As a small independent museum, a combination of rising costs, lower visitor numbers and unsuccessful funding applications created an unsustainable financial position.

“Closing our doors to the public was an extremely difficult decision for the Board. However, by taking decisive action now, we hope to create the conditions for a more sustainable and resilient future for the museum.”

The news that staff had been made redundant was first shared on social media. Posting on Instagram, Brighton-based conservation studio Zenzie Tinker Conservation said: “Ditchling Museum of Craft is a small, beautifully formed, significant collection of international importance – one of our loveliest local museums and one we’ve done lots of work for over the years, getting to know the team well.

“This is heartbreaking stuff and we should be shouting about it in fury not quietly accepting what has happened. Whilst we all know times are very tough for museums and the heritage sector, this is a significant collection that should be saved. No answers but the staff deserved better than this, as does the collection.”

At the end of 2025, the museum employed nine members of staff as well 25 volunteers, according to the Charity Commission.

Ditchling Museum opened in 1985 and underwent a lottery-funded redevelopment in 2013. That same year, it was shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year award.