A TOWN museum is set to close this week amid worries over running costs and staffing. 

Eastleigh Museum will shut as of this Friday, it has been announced, as the charity which runs the facility moves to a new location. 

Having first opened its doors on October 3, 1986, the museum has since been run by a partnership between charities, One Community and Hampshire Cultural Trust, Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council.

But now volunteers from One Community, who use the museum as a central access point for its outreach services, are due to relocate to Flourish shop in Eastleigh's Swan Centre sparking concern over the museum's running costs.

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Paul Sapwell, Chief Executive of Hampshire Cultural Trust, said the charity is "unfortunately not in a financial position to support staffing the museum and front-of-house running costs with the venue in its current form" adding that revenue from the existing shop and café is "not sufficient to support the operations".

While the museum is closed, Hampshire Cultural Trust says it will continue to work with the community on its Story Group Project. 

The scheme which has been running for 12 months was set up to seek voices on how the museum could become a focal point in the town. 

Mr Sapwell added: "We do however believe that a more resilient model can be achieved, subject to redevelopment of the museum offer and space to attract more customers, along with a longer-term assurance of local authority funding.

"We are in discussions with both Eastleigh Borough Council and Hampshire County Council regarding our plans.

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"Whilst there are currently no firm plans for the museum to re-open to the public, if we are able to agree a sustainable model for the museum going forward, we would like to re-open later in the year on a reduced hours basis whilst we fundraise and plan for a capital redevelopment."

He indicated that the charity's "preferred route" would be to redevelop the site, making the site more accessible and inviting. 

Mr Sawell also said the charity would like to invest in the cafe and shop to "reimagine the museum offer" similar to projects at other sites owned by the Cultural Trust in Winchester and Gosport. 

"In the short term, we are very pleased that the story group project will be able to continue, if behind closed doors, and our vision is for the museum to have a community use in the future.

"Culture on the high street is essential to the community and economic health of any town or city and with a sustainable model and the right funding support, we see Eastleigh Museum as a major attractor for visitors to the high street, a centre where the community can come together and a draw for investment that will have a knock-on effect both for the high street economy and for the town as a whole."