Oxton's Williamson Art Gallery and Museum reopens after repairs

The Williamson Art Gallery & Museum in Oxton will reopen its doors to the public today after a temporary closure last week.

The gallery was closed last Tuesday for "emergency engineering works" according to Wirral Council.

The local authority said this work is the first step in finding a way to improve the ventilation at The Williamson in the long-term.

The Oxton attraction was up for the axe in proposals for Wirral Council's annual budget earlier this year.

However, the plan was scrapped after an outcry from councillors and residents alike.

At a council committee meeting in January, Cllr Jerry Williams said the gallery was a "focal point" of the Liverpool City Region's tourist offering and was something that could raise income for the city region's economy.

The Labour councillor pointed out that the council had spent "a fortune" upgrading The Williamson's lighting, only to now be considering closing the "jewel in the crown" of local culture.

Similarly, Liberal Democrat councillor Allan Brame, who represents Oxton, said he has had more letters and emails on this subject than any other in his time as a councillor.

He said The Williamson was not just about art.

For Cllr Brame, it was a place in which people found solace and relaxation, it had a popular cafe service and a broader offering beyond its function as an art gallery and a museum.

The gallery will continue to have restricted visitor numbers until further notice while further investigations – and any associated repairs – are carried out.

Safety inspections will continue to take place regularly to ensure that the building is operating as safely as possible for both staff and visitors.