Leamington Art Gallery and Museum shut as rain affects repairs

A town’s Art Gallery and Museum has been temporarily closed due to ”unforeseen circumstances” relating to roof repairs.

Recent weather impacted a multi-million pound project to restore the Grade II listed Royal Pump Rooms building in Leamington Spa, Warwick District Council said.

A statement on the gallery’s Facebook page said it had shut as a ”precautionary measure” for the safety of visitors and staff.

It said the closure was necessary due to the “ongoing complexities” of essential roof repairs, “made more challenging by recent and forecast heavy rainfall”.

The closure, which has been ongoing since 29 May, means the opening of the gallery’s latest exhibition, A Different View: Women Artists in the collection, has been postponed.

A spokesperson said a further update would be provided on Wednesday.

A crane is being used to remove air-handling units from the building’s roof before ”critical repairs” the council said would preserve the “iconic building for generations to come”.

The Royal Pump Rooms, in the town centre, houses a museum, library, café and visitor information centre and is “an integral part” of the town’s history, the local authority has said.

The library and cafe remain accessible to the public.

The council had originally said the building would stay open for business despite being covered in scaffolding.

It has promised further updates on the works as soon as possible.