Inside Abbey House: how can the museum's future be secured?

BBC News

21-02-2025

For 873 years, Grade II-listed Abbey House has stood in the shadow of Kirkstall Abbey, three miles west of Leeds city centre. Since 1927, the museum has afforded a window into Victorian Yorkshire, but last year it was threatened with closure amid a notable decline in visitors over the past three years.Pressure from campaigners forced the council to u-turn on the proposals, but with visitor numbers estimated at 39,000 in 2023/24, councillors are exploring how to ensure the museum's long-term future. "In an ever-growing world of Netflix and social media, you have got to constantly find ways to get people's attention and get them through the door," says Salma Arif, of Leeds City Council.
On a tour of the attraction, Arif enthused over "the inter-generational interaction", as grandparents and grandchildren enjoyed the museum's half-term activities. "As soon as you walk in, it is like you're in a different world," she says, standing on the cobbles of 'The Streets' - a replica Leeds streetscape from the 1880s, complete with an apothecary, ironmongers and a pub."Every time I come here, I feel as though I have gone through a time capsule".
As part of this year's Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, lanterns and snakes are strung from the rafters of the antique shops.The Year of the Snake exhibition runs until the end of half-term and an influx of families are enjoying the themed decorations which adorn the Victorian streetscape."It is really lovely to see the inter-generational interaction here, children with grandmas and grandpas; we just need little bit more of that," says, Arif, the executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture.
The closure of the museum was put forward as part of efforts to save money at the cash-strapped council.But Arif says the proposal was met with the "strongest response in her memory", with around 10,000 people getting in touch to oppose the move."Going forward, what more can we do that can help with footfall?" she wonders."My hope is that the passion we saw in the consultation is replicated in numbers [visiting]."Pressures still remain; I think it is getting people through the door that can justify keeping it open."
Beyond 'The Streets' authentic Victorian-era stores, whose wares include Burmantofts pottery and traditional tobacco, the museum offers a glimpse into the sometimes grim realities of life in a Victorian home.Sarah Allen, learning and access officer at the museum, believes it is this insight which makes the museum unique among Leeds' many cultural attractions."This is a museum of everyday life," she says, walking under windows strung with laundry."It is really important we keep everyday working-class people's stories alive."Most people do not live in a stately home, most people are not lucky enough to have an amazing array of Chippendale furniture, but most people do have a grandma who had a bath in front of the fire. "
Among the visitors enjoying the museum is Pennie Keech."It is lovely," says the grandmother-of-two: "A completely different set of new things to see - so worthwhile coming," she effuses.Her husband, Andrew, has been coming to the museum for the past 70 years: "I like the toys - a lot of it goes back to my youth."On the upper level of the museum, doll-houses and teddies adorn the walls.This year a 'storytime' exhibition displaying children's books dating back more than 200 years is also on show."It makes me feel nostalgic," says Andrew.
Originally, the core of the heritage building served as the inner gatehouse to Kirkstall Abbey.But following Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries, it was repurposed into a farmhouse - a home for the owners of nearby Kirkstall Forge and a lodging for judges.Before the coronavirus pandemic, it was subsequently used as a cafe, but with plummeting visitor numbers to the museum, the cafe was moved across the A65 and into the Abbey itself.Dianne Riding thinks a cafe should be reinstated - and in one of many members of the public to pass on their suggestions to the council."We have passed on all sorts of ideas," she says, sipping a coffee under the arches of the Cistercian monastery."Developing the Norman Hall for events, a daytime café or an evening venue for food and drink... I would like to see it thriving," the former teacher says.Ms Riding was one of the 150 campaigners who fought for the museum's future during a protest last month."It means a lot to the people of Leeds: 10,000 people returned the consultation forms, there was a petition which 5,000 people signed."We should not ever lose our culture."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.