Dartmouth Museum has been awarded a 50 per cent rent reduction by Dartmouth Town Council for the next 12 months.

The decision was made at the council’s full meeting on Tuesday, August 25, after the Museum applied for a reduction under provisions included in Dartmouth Town Council’s 2026/27 budget.

The budget allows for rent reductions of up to 50 per cent for the three charities and Community Interest Company currently renting council-owned property.

The charities include Dartmouth Museum, Dartmouth Youth Group and The Community Chest, while the Community Interest Company is the Visitor Centre.

Councillors discussed the Museum’s request, including the council’s budget provision, the application process, support for charitable tenants and ongoing maintenance considerations relating to the property.

The decision was put to a vote, and a majority agreed to award the Museum a 50 per cent rent discount for the following 12 months.

Mike Rowley, chair of Dartmouth Museum, said the reduction would provide welcome financial support at a difficult time.

“The last three years have been challenging times for Dartmouth generally, and the Museum is not immune,” he said.

Rowley added that visitor numbers had fallen in recent years and the Museum’s budget for the current financial year was “very tight”.

The Museum is also facing an unforeseen repair bill for the ceiling of its Holdsworth Room.

Mr Rowley said: “The rent reduction is very welcome and will soften the impact of the necessary repairs as well as easing our budget, so we are grateful to DTC for this timely support.”

The Museum is also working on a major new project involving a collection of around 4,500 pre-1940 photographs taken by Dartmouth resident Vernon MacAndrew.

The mostly-colour photographs have been donated to the Museum and are described as being of “national and international significance”.

Following conservation, the Museum plans to digitise the collection and create a display.

The project is fully funded through grants secured by Project Lead and Museum vice-chair Jonathan Turner.