In the wake of reports of a nationwide decline in museum visitors, the National Football Museum has bucked the trend, welcoming more visitors than ever before through its turnstiles.
Whilst a report by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport found that UK museums had been hit by a 1.4 million decline in visitors, the Manchester based museum is celebrating a steady rise over the last 12 months.
And there are no signs of falling numbers in 2017, with a current 12.5% increase in visitors year-on-year for the period.
Kevin Haygarth, Interim Director at National Football Museum, said: “We’ve had a fantastic year at the museum, reflected in an ever-growing amount of visitors passing through our doors.
“The last 12 months have seen the successful launch of the 1966 World Cup Exhibition, the Walk of Fame and the growth of the popular Football Writing Festival.
“We’re also continuing with ‘Memories of 66’, which uses football and specifically England’s 66 win to help bring older generations together. These factors, alongside our regular school holiday activities mean we’ve managed to attract a wide array of age groups to the museum.
“The fantastic team of volunteers and staff have also attracted plenty of positive feedback and many of our visitors tell us this is why they visit the museum time and time again.”
With the museum recently awarded funding to house the world’s largest collection of women’s memorabilia, an upcoming Pelé exhibition and the annual additions to the Hall of Fame, visitor numbers are expected to continue to grow throughout the year.