Ripon Museum Trust has reported a record attendance across its three museums in its latest annual accounts.

However, rising costs meant the trust, which runs the workhouse, prison & police and courthouse museums, recorded a loss for the year ending March 31, 2025.

The overall number of visits increased by seven per cent from 14,166 in 2024 to 15,153 in 2025. The latest figure is 20% up on the 12,579 recorded in 2023.

The biggest increase last year was at the prison and police museum, which extended opening hours to all day, instead of only in the afternoon. 

The financial statement that accompanied the accounts described the latest figures as “a remarkable achievement given the cost-of-living crisis and tough competition in the heritage/leisure sector”.

The increase in visitor numbers helped total income grow from £457,889 to £818,645.

This figure was boosted by £142,576 from Arts Council England, which selected the trust as a national portfolio organisation for a three-year period, which ends in March 2026. Paranormal group visits contributed £14,083 — slightly down on last year’s £14,696.

Rising costs

But the financial statement added:

“While it was a strong year for income, there were pressures on expenditure. Historically the museums have relied on volunteers to deliver the front of house welcome however this model has come under significant pressure, particularly at weekends. As a result, Ripon Museum Trust have utilised more temporary casual staff to cover front of house shifts.

“The National Minimum Wage increase in April 2024 has added to the cost pressure in this area, leading to total costs for this year of £23,909.”

Overall staff costs rose from £254,019 to £275,700 as the number of employees increased from 14 to 19, partly due to the creation of new roles such as visitor experience officer and a business support officer.

Premises costs went up from £68,454 to £114,320, partly due to the end of a fixed, three-year contract for gas and electricity.

The financial statement said:

“Given the above, the Ripon Museum Trust board note that while the unrestricted performance resulted in a loss of £42,826 due to factors outside of our control, the underlying performance hasbeen very positive with record earned income achieved.”

The museums are due to reopen for the season on February 14.

The trust was awarded £2.5 million in September 2024 for a project to help fix the Workhouse Museum's leaky roof.

The project, which costs £3.3 million in total, is due to be completed by March 2028.