Supporters of Ipswich museums fear plans to close Christchurch Mansion for nearly half the week could hit visitor numbers in the town.

The Friends of Ipswich Museum have asked the borough to reconsider its proposals to close the mansion on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well as Mondays.

At present it is the only part of the borough's museums open - the High Street site is being upgraded and will not reopen until late next year.

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.

Writing in the Friends' newsletter Mr Wilson says: "How can the town expect to flourish when what visitors see are locked doors and shuttered windows? In its last financial year, revenue from the Council’s car parks and commercial rents were down.

"This proposal appears to encourage income to continue to fall. Yet we know that heritage and the arts are good for the economy." 

He urged the council to look to the recent budget for help: "The Chancellor has in the last few days promised councils a 3.2% real terms increase in core spending power for the next financial year.

"Though details have not yet been fully revealed, this does give the Council an opportunity to change course, and rather than close the Mansion, instead trumpet what is so very good about our town."

Carole Jones said the council had no choice but to cut opening times at the mansion.Carole Jones said the council had no choice but to cut opening times at the mansion. (Image: Newsquest)

However portfolio holder for museums Carole Jones was not able to hold out too much hope.

She said: "Ipswich Borough, like all councils, is facing severe financial pressures due to the continuing additional costs imposed by inflation and high interest rates in the wake of the disastrous Liz Truss mini-budget, and a big increase in people being made homeless.

"This has added millions of pounds of extra costs. The previous Conservative government did not compensate councils for these costs and the huge black hole they left in the nation’s finances means the new Labour Government isn’t able to do so either.

"As a result we have had to make a wide range of savings of which not opening the Mansion for two extra days a week is one small part. We did not want to do this but we have been left with no choice.

"We are discussing with our museum officers how best to manage this but want to reassure people that the Mansion will still be open for visitors four days a week."