The National Gallery was the most visited museum in Britain last year and the second most visited tourist attraction after Blackpool Pleasure Beach, according to figures prepared by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions. Nearly 5 million people walked through the gallery?s doors in 2004, a 13.75% increase on the previous year.
Attendances at most British museums and galleries were significantly higher than in 2003. One exception was the Science Museum where attendances dropped by 25% to under two and a quarter million. Staff at the Science Museum staged a one day strike earlier this month in protest at a 2.5% pay offer, and, what their union described as ?the wider financial crisis that threatens the quality of exhibits and reputation of this much-loved institution.?
Published: 28-02-2005