Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery set to re-open in October

Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) has announced that it is planning to re-open to the general public from Saturday 24 October 2020, Covid-19 restrictions permitting.

The museum closed its doors during March in response to the pandemic, and has remained closed throughout the summer. During this time RAMM has operated with a reduced staff, using the opportunity to undertake some work to improve the accessibility of the building, and, importantly, to make the museum as safe as possible for the return of its visitors.

Having prepared new coronavirus measures to ensure that guests are able to move around the museum safely, and in accordance with government guidelines, RAMM is now delighted to announce its re-opening date, and the museum’s staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors once again.

The most notable of the new Covid measures is the introduction of a timed ticketing system, allowing RAMM to better manage the flow of visitors through the museum. Tickets are free, but all visitors will need to book theirs online prior to their visit. Tickets will be available to book on the RAMM website from Thursday 1 October.

A number of other changes have been introduced. A new one-way system will be in operation; visitors will enter at the museum’s Garden Entrance to the rear of the building, and exit through the Queen Street doors. Visitor numbers will be reduced, screens have been introduced at key visitor/staff contact points, there will be clear physical distance markings on the floor inside and outside the buildings, and there will be frequent cleaning of key touchpoints throughout the museum.

Visitors will also be asked to do their part to help protect others by not entering the building if they are feeling unwell, wearing a face covering, keeping their distance – a giraffe’s stride apart! – and using the hand sanitiser provided.

Cllr Amal Ghusain, Exeter City Council’s lead Councillor for Communities and Culture, said, “We are delighted that RAMM will be reopening its doors in October. The museum is such a well-loved part of Exeter – its contribution to the social, economic and cultural life of the city cannot be overstated.

“RAMM has always been a haven of discovery and wonder in the heart of the city, and I know the people of Exeter, who have been excitedly waiting for new of the reopening, will be thrilled by this announcement. We very much hope that further Covid-19 restrictions will not affect our reopening date, but are fully prepared to act quickly to respond to any new developments as the safety of our visitors is always our prime consideration.”

During lockdown, the museum has been delivering creative activities and information online via its RAMM at Home programme. It also launched Lockdown Legends, a community engagement project highlighting local people who have shown particular kindness, courage, humanity or ingenuity in these trying times.

The museum will be open from 10am to 5pm from Tuesday to Sunday, from Saturday 24 October onward. For more information about the reopening and the new safety measures, and to book free timed tickets from Thursday 1 October, visit: rammuseum.org.uk/visiting-us