The National Trust has unveiled its plans for the Ironbridge attraction, a collection of museums that narrate the story of the Industrial Revolution's inception. Despite the takeover, the Trust aims to maintain the existing structure, as Mark Agnew, the new manager, believes in building upon the successes of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. However, the transition has led to the redundancy of 48 employees, a decision made due to the elimination of certain head office roles. The Trust plans to increase visitor numbers, targeting an annual increase from 330,000 to 600,000, with paid members gaining access to the site. Agnew emphasizes the importance of preserving the strong connection between the museums and the local community, a sentiment shared by many. The handover process, which includes retraining and IT system integration, is expected to take a couple of months. The Trust aims to reopen the Museum of the Gorge and the Toll House in late April, followed by Blists Hill, the Museum of Iron, and the Old Furnace in May. The future of Ironbridge looks promising, with the National Trust's support and a renewed focus on sustainability.
