AN URGENT appeal has gone out to help the National Motorcycle Museum stay open and keep its collection of classic vehicles.
The Solihull-based museum may have to sell some of its reserve collection of bikes, as income from visitors and its sister businesses has plummeted during lockdown.
The museum relies entirely on funding from visitors, and from its National Conference Centre, Manor Hotel Meriden, and Windmill Village Hotel Coventry businesses – which have all been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Museum Director James Hewing said: “Without the income from our three sister businesses, there is little likelihood of the museum opening, and then remaining open, until they return to normal trading.
“The museum itself requires a surplus of around £500,000 per year just to break even.
“Without making this appeal, we may have to sell some of our reserve collection of bikes, the last thing we would ever have wanted to do.
“Unfortunately, all of our business activities are in one of the hardest hit sectors, and we simply don’t know how long they will take to recover”.
The museum will launch a Covid-19 Museum Appeal Raffle, offering the chance to win one of three motorbikes – a pristine 1977 Norton Commando 850cc, a restored 1948 Ariel NG 350cc, and a restored 1959 BSA B31 350cc.
The raffle launches on Friday July 17. Tickets will cost £6 each and will be available at www.thenmm.co.uk.
The draw will take place in December at the National Motorcycle Museum.
The museum is also asking supporters for donations. Visit www.thenmm.co.uk after July 17 for more information.
