A COUNCILLOR has asked why a city museum - described as "excellent" on the Discover Carlisle website - is only open for one afternoon a week for five months of the year.

Paul Nedved, for Stanwix Urban, raised the issue of the development of the Guildhall Museum at the Greenmarket with council leader Colin Glover.

He said: "Tullie House Trust manage the Guildhall Museum but their is no forward plan for it and it does not feature in the recently published Tullie House Business Plan.

"On the Tullie House website this 14th Century iconic timber framed building - one of the four oldest building in the city - opens only on a Thursday from 12pm to 4pm and only from May 3 to September 27.

"On the city council's Discover Carlisle website we state that the Guildhall Museum is "an excellent museum portraying the story of medieval guilds."

"My concern is that we are not fully capitalising on this wonderful educational and historic asset to this city in what should be a part of the unique tourism offer that Carlisle has to offer."

Many years ago the Guildhall was subject to a major renovation.

Cllr Nedved said: "I recognise the fragility of this ancient building and staffing implications, however, we surely can do better than open to residents and tourists one afternoon a week for part of the year."

Mr Glover said: "The Guildhall is owned by Carlisle City Council and managed by Tullie House Museum Trust. "Advice from structural engineers limit the number of people who can be in the building at any one time.

"The Trust therefore opens the Guildhall as much as it is able to given these constraints.

"The Guildhall will be open every Thursday 12pm to 4pm, throughout the summer season. In addition to opening weekly during the summer months the Trust is happy to open the museum by request.

"The council continues to work closely with Tullie House to enhance the interpretation and experience of buildings and collections in the Trust’s care."

A spokeswoman for Tullie House said: "The Guildhall is the oldest building in Carlisle. Originally a row of shops and workshops attached to a wealthy merchant’s town house. It has been owned by the City of Carlisle since the 1400’s and is now home to a museum of civic history.

"Due to its age and construction the building is difficult to manage. Tullie House Trust therefore opens the Guildhall as much as it is able to given these constraints."