Ipswich Christchurch Mansion to only open four days a week

Ipswich Borough Council has approved the plans in conjunction with the Ipswich and Colchester Museums Committee to reduce the opening times of the historic Tudor mansion.

The changes will come into force on Friday, April 4, and, going forward, the site will only be open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

It is currently open six days a week and is closed only on a Monday. 

These changes were approved during a borough council executive meeting in September, where leaders discussed plans to reduce the council's spending after noticing a £23m gap in their budget.

Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for planning and museums  (Image: Newsquest) In the decision notice, portfolio holder for planning and museums Carole Jones said: "This would mean the current Monday closure remains and has less impact on staff and visitors.

"Any days closed to the public can be utilised for private events where the income covers the additional cost of opening, including tours.  

"The specific closed days are those where the footfall is currently lower.

"Thursdays and Fridays are more popular days for private events which could help increase income and therefore the sustainability of the service."

However, the council also understand that since the opening days are not continuous it will be "harder to market" them to the public.

Previously, when the decision was taken to reduce the opening hours, the Friends of Ipswich Museum had asked the borough council to reconsider its proposal to close the mansion. 

The chair of the group, Richard Wilson, said the message from the borough seemed to be that Ipswich was closed to visitors - just days after the Lonely Planet guides described this region as one of the 10 best in the world for visitors.