Hi Laura,

We have a free entry museum as one of our site, but we stipulate that groups of more than 10 must pre book and pay or risk not being allowed into the building.  We do this mainly to know what each day may bring us and to avoid conflicts with school groups and other activities.

Rather than discouraging the groups altogether though – as a fee may do that – why don’t you just explain that they can’t all go in at once because of space restrictions?

There must be lots of people who come in and use your facilities and who don’t buy anything in the shop.

Kind regards

Amanda Phillipson

Learning & Activities

Hat Works & Bramall Hall

0161 474 2487

Hello GEMmers –

We are a free entry venue with a desk staffed by volunteers. Lately we are finding that we are having more and more groups coming to the centre on self-guided visits (normally ESOL students). Although it is nice to have them, they are using our facilities, treading in mud and discouraging other visitors from entering – but usually without buying anything in our shop; so we are nice and busy but getting no monetary return.

Do any other free entry venues make a nominal fee or ask for a recommended donation for these sorts of self-guided groups? How do you manage that? (We do ask that groups book ahead, but it seems to be about 50/50 on that happening.)

Yours scroogily,

Laura Hilton

Visitor Services Manager

Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust

Bridge Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PA

0117 974 4664

www.cliftonbridge.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brunelsbridge

Twitter: www.twitter.com/brunelsbridge 

Registered Charity No. 205658

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