Agenda item

Chief Officers Update on Reopening

Chief Officers to be heard.

Minutes:

Officers were heard in respect of reopening plans for the coming months:

 

Cultural & Visitor Development Director:

Officers were working on the City’s Recovery Taskforce and Culture and Commerce Taskforce plans to reopen cultural offerings. Marketing, radio and billboard campaigns were underway to promote the City, noting that as a public sector organisation, the City Corporation could not encourage visitors back to the City until 17 May and workers from 21 June (in line with government restrictions).

 

The City Information Centre was scheduled to reopen from the week commencing 12 April for two days per week. Guildhall Art Gallery was scheduled to reopen from 2 June. The City of London Police Museum and Billingsgate Roman House and Baths would remain closed as social distancing was not possible at the site. This would be reconsidered when social distancing restrictions are lifted. The Outdoor Arts Programme had a variety of events planned for the year.

 

Director of the London Metropolitan Archives:

The Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre (formerly the City Business Library) was scheduled to reopen on 5 May; the London Metropolitan Archives was scheduled to reopen on 10 May; and the Guildhall Library was scheduled to reopen on 11 May. Pre-booking would be required to use the libraries, and library and archival material would need to be pre-ordered.

 

Head of the Barbican & Community Libraries:

Library staff had worked throughout the pandemic to offer select and collect services, answer telephone enquiries, offer IT training, deliver books and offer support to those who were shielding or could not leave the home. The libraries were scheduled to reopen on 12 April. Events would continue to be offered virtually until events could be held at the library.

 

Principal Curator, Keats House:

Keats200 programme delivery had been ongoing for the past two years, and adjustments had been made to offer programming online due to the pandemic. Keats House would welcome visitors back once restrictions were lifted.  From 13 April, Keats Community Library would be open for two days per week with pre-booking arrangements.

 

Head of Tower Bridge:

Throughout the closure, officers had been busy bringing services online, including podcast content and educational programming for schools and families. The giftshop would reopen on 12 April with reduced hours, and Tower Bridge would open from 17 May. The Monument would remain closed for the time being as social distancing was not possible.

 

RESOLVED – that the updates be received.