North Herts District Council has moved to reassure wheelchair users that the new museum in Hitchin will be fully accessible.

The Comet: Councillor Tony Hunter, community engagement portfolio holder for North Herts District Council. Picture: NHDCCouncillor Tony Hunter, community engagement portfolio holder for North Herts District Council. Picture: NHDC (Image: Archant)

With the North Hertfordshire Museum entrance at 14/15 Brand Street still owned by Hitchin Town Hall Ltd and cordoned off from the rest of the building, there has been limited disabled access for exhibitions at the hall.

But Councillor Tony Hunter, responsible for community engagement, told the Comet yesterday that the museum will be accessible for all when fully open.

“On promotional materials for our recent exhibitions we have requested that people with accessibility requirements contact us in advance,” he said. “In many circumstances, wheelchair users can go through the town hall and use the platform lift, or we can make alternative arrangements with advance notice.

“We appreciate that this is not a perfect scenario, but the alternative is to keep the Museum completely shut until negotiations are concluded.”