City museum applies for alcohol licence

A city museum has applied for an alcohol licence as it aims to expand its events programme and boost venue hire income.

Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, on Priestgate, is seeking permission from the city council to sell alcohol and host live and recorded entertainment.

The application, submitted by Peterborough Limited, states that the museum wants "to provide on-site entertainment as part of our programming, including the sale of alcohol for consumption on site".

A spokesperson for Peterborough Limited said: "The licence will enable us to meet the needs of future events, including the option to sell alcohol when we run evening events at the museum."

The move comes after Peterborough City Council proposed reducing the museum's opening hours as part of its 2025-26 budget savings plans.

The museum currently relies on about 120 volunteers to help run the venue and support exhibitions and events.

While open from 10:00 BST to 16:00 BST, Tuesday to Saturday, it regularly hosts out-of-hours events as part of its commitment to offering a diverse programme of activities.

If approved, the licence would allow the museum to stage live music, film screenings, theatre productions, musical performances, lectures, talks and candlelit tours from 10:00 BST until midnight, seven days a week.

The application also seeks permission to provide late-night entertainment between 20:00 BST and midnight, Monday to Sunday.

Alcohol could be sold for consumption on the premises from 10:00 BST until midnight throughout the week.

Peterborough City Council is yet to consider the application.

Do you have a story suggestion for Peterborough? Contact us below.

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.