Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery to re-open on Thu 3 Dec
Published: 26 November 2020
Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) has announced that it is planning to re-open to the general public from Thursday 3 December 2020, following the government announcement that Exeter will be moving to tier 2 restrictions.
The museum closed its doors during March in response to the pandemic and re-opened in late October; ten days after re-opening the doors were closed once again following the announcement of the country’s second lockdown.
Having previously prepared new coronavirus measures to ensure that guests are able to move around the museum safely and in accordance with government guidelines, RAMM staff are ready for a smooth reopening, and are looking forward to welcoming visitors once again.
The museum’s timed ticketing system, which allows RAMM to better manage the flow of visitors through the museum, continues to operate. Tickets are free, but all visitors are encouraged to book theirs online prior to their visit in order to guarantee entry. Tickets are available to book on the RAMM website from Thursday 26 November at rammuseum.org.uk/entrytickets
The recently-introduced one-way system is still 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 are 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 are also 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 next week. It remains a vital part of Exeter’s cultural offering, and I know the people of Exeter will be excited to return to the museum, with all of the Covid precautions that are in place.
“With Christmas fast approaching RAMM provides a haven in the heart of the city offering its visitors a chance to relax, reflect and discover something new.”
The museum’s new online shop will also be open from Sunday 29 November, allowing guests who are unable to make it to the museum to do their Christmas shopping from home. Offering a wide range of beautiful and unique items, the online shop at RAMM is the perfect place to find inspirational, locally-sourced gifts, 24 hours a day: shop.rammuseum.org.uk
During the second lockdown, the museum has continued to deliver events, activities and information online via its website and social media channels. RAMM Lates: Online, a virtual version of the museum’s popular Lates event, attracted an audience of around one hundred people who were treated to virtual tours, talks and artist Q&As, alongside activities and discussion across social media. In response to the ongoing restrictions on in-person events across the country, the museum is currently planning its next virtual Lates event.
The museum, including the shop at RAMM and the museum café, will be open from 10am to 5pm from Tuesday to Sunday, from Thursday 3 December onward. For more information about the reopening and the new safety measures, and to book free timed tickets, visitors can head to rammuseum.org.uk/visiting-us