THE Bowes Museum will re-open on Saturday, August 1.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the popular Norman Cornish: The Definitive Collection exhibition until January 17, and the Pre-Raphaelite Knights: Reinventing the Medieval World until the end of September, as well as blimey! Lucretia with a programme of workshops for families in the summer holidays.
The trustees made the announcement last week.
It followed criticism that management had been slow to act to reopen the attraction.
A spokesman said: “The health and well-being of our visitors, staff and volunteers is our number one priority and in line with the latest government guidance on Covid-19 changes have had to be made in how the museum operates so that visitors will feel confident and safe and have a relaxing and enjoyable visit.”
Entry must be booked via the website, www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk, or by phoning the museum on 01833 690606.
“This will enable us to manage the number of people in the museum and allow for social distancing,” the spokesman added.
Visitors will have their tickets scanned on entry and there will be separate entrances and exits. The revolving doors will not be in use.
“We have numerous hand sanitisation stations around the museum and gardens with lots of reminders to respect social distancing. We have undertaken a deep clean of the museum and have an enhanced regular cleaning regime in place. Our lifts are only to be used by households needing help to access the upper floors of the museum.
“We have restricted access to areas, exhibitions or artefacts where social distancing cannot be maintained.
“So, the red Ceramics Gallery and Silver Swan performances have been affected. We will have film of the Silver Swan on show in the Silver and Metals gallery,” the spokesman added.
The Bowes Museum shop and Cafe Bowes will be open with access to the cafe from the gardens on the right-hand side of the building.
Annual passes valid when the museum closed on Wednesday, March 18, have been extended by four months.
Museum director Adrian Jenkins said: “We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us by engaging with our virtual tours, blogs and social media, and by making generous donations both online and in the park.
“When you visit, you’ll notice a few changes.
“We are the museum you know and love with social distancing and enhanced safety precautions in place.”
