Residents are being asked to have their say about the future use of Bury Art Museum as the council looks to find ways to make large cost cuts.

An options appraisal of the historic building and service is being carried out as part of the council's plans to slash £29m from its budget.

In a report, discussing its medium-term financial strategy, the council says it could slash £250,000 from the gallery’s budget for the year 2024/2025.

Also included in the appraisal is a suggestion to cut the equivalent of eight full time staff members in the same period.

But the report says the gallery will be included in the local authority's Bury Town Council Masterplan as a “Creatives” space.

The Moss Street building comprises the art gallery museum and sculpture centre.

The art gallery was specially built to house the Wrigley Collection, given to the borough in 1897 and it opened in 1901.

It has since incorporated many pieces of contemporary art, and part of the building was recently converted to become a sculpture centre to showcase works in that medium.

However, extensive repair works are required, particularly to the roof of the building at a cost of £1m.

Consultation with a conservation architect has begun and a grant application for these repairs is in progress.

Cllr Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture and the economy at the council, said: “Bury Art Museum, which is at the heart of the town centre’s culture quarter, is a vital part of our borough’s heritage and we want to build on the past century of history with a bright new future for the building and the collections it houses.

“However, we do face a harsh financial reality and this year alone we do need to make cuts to the council’s budget of £29m.

This is largely due to soaring inflation and fuel bills, as well as increasing demand for services for the most vulnerable, but we have already experienced a decade of austerity.

"Over the past 12 years, the government has stripped more than £100m from our funding and this means that we are now having to look at every service we provide in order to balance the budget.

“We are therefore considering creative uses for the building to understand how we can reduce costs and/or drive income, while also supporting creative talent in our borough to thrive.

"An options appraisal is being undertaken to explore how we might achieve £250,000 of savings and will consider measures such as greater commercialisation, expanded digital provision, partnership delivery, and repurposing the museum space.”

Cllr Morris added: “We have launched a public consultation with local residents and businesses, because we want to hear their views before we set the budget next year.

"I would urge everyone in Bury with an interest in culture and the arts to get involved in this consultation - go to www.onecommunitybury.co.uk/bury-art-museumand have your say."

The gallery is also having a day of events for families on Saturday, November 26 as a way of encouraging people to get involved with the consultation.