No Cultural 'Warm Banks' This Year?

Birmingham, Ipswich, Gateshead and circa 9 Scottish Councils have all explored the possibility that their local museums could act as 'Warm Banks' this coming winter. A 'Warm Bank' is a heated location, where people could go, when priced out of, by rocketing energy costs, heating their own homes. Culture and warmth? Unfortunately, the scheme appears a 'non-starter' (https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/aug/31/uk-museums-rising-energy-costs-could-hamper-warm-banks-plan). The Museums Association represents circa 1800 UK museums. Museum energy bills are currently rising between 200 and 600%. These dramatically increased costs will inevitably mean reduced openning and closures. Unless there is financial support, it's not just pubs that will be closed this winter!