MORE than 850 visitors flocked to the new £4.2 million Fusilier Museum which opened its doors to the Bury public for the first time at the weekend.
Saturday’s event co-incided with British Armed Forces Day and entry to the museum in Moss Street was free.
Museum officials were overwhelmed at the sheer number of people who came to tour the building and to view its exhibits and other attractions.
Mr Mike Booth, Fusilier Museum manager, said: “Last Saturday’s opening was a wonderful event. We had more than 850 people turn up. In fact, there were so many that we lost count and we only have a record of 850 coming in.
“When you think that the previous museum attracted 2,000 visitors a year, to have 850 people come on one day was a great testament to the strength of feeling people have towards the regiment and museum.
“There were so many positive comments. People are welcoming this new museum and will be supporting it. The numbers who turned up were far more than we had expected. It was heartwarming to see so many people come through.”
The Fusilier Museum will now be open from Wednesday to Sunday each week between 11am and 5pm. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 concessionary. An official opening ceremony will take place in September.
Mr Booth added: “We did have free entry on Saturday as a thank you to the people who have supported us and because it was British Armed Forces Day.
“We will be having more free days in the future to commemorate significant dates in our calendar.”
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