Shoreham’s Marlipins Museum at risk of permanent closure – urgent fundraising appeal launched

The society, one of the oldest archaeological societies in the UK, has been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown and has seen its income fall dramatically.

Founded in 1846, it cares for buildings and museums across East and West Sussex, including the Marlipins Museum in Shoreham – The oldest secular building in Sussex – Fishbourne Roman Palace and Lewes Castle.

The society normally welcomes 160,000 paying visitors a year to its properties. But the lockdown meant all buildings had to be closed, temporarily, just at the start of the summer season, with tickets sales lost.

Other income streams have also been affected: gift shops were shut and all planned events and educational workshops were cancelled. Only one of the society’s cafés, at Fishbourne, has been able to reopen recently, in accordance with government guidelines.

The charity has warned that without sufficient funding the properties may never reopen – collections would then have to be dispersed or disposed of.

To ensure the society can survive until its 175th anniversary in June next year, on Tuesday – Sussex Day – it launched an urgent fundraising appeal as part of a Celebrating 175 campaign. It hopes to raise £1million to cover lost income. Best-selling author and historian Tom Holland had agreed to be the appeal’s patron. On Tuesday, society chief executive Catherine Cavanagh said: “We are due to celebrate our 175th anniversary in a year’s time.

“Sadly, our plans to build up to this date with some special events have been severely curtailed and we are concerned that we may not even survive until then.

“Today is Sussex Day and many Sussex residents will have visited our properties as adults and also as school children on educational trips. Their closure will be a loss to future generations.

“We hope they will hear our call for help and support our work by donating to our Celebrating 175 Fund.”

A digital campaign to kick off the countdown to the 175th anniversary is due to be launched on July 18.

To donate to the charity’s fundraising appeal visit sussexpast.co.uk/shop/donation