This is the date for the opening of the new Doncaster museum

The Danum Gallery Libary and Museum will open its doors to vistors for the first time on Saturday, May 29, Doncaster Council has confirmed.

Tickets will have to be pre-booked to fit in with coronavirus rules, and numbers will be limited to allow for social distancing.

The £14 million town centre landmark includes two steam locomotives on display in the new building in a new railway heritage section.

The engines are on loan from the National Railway Museum.

It also contains the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry museum, the general Doncaster museum, an art collection and the borough’s new library, and a cafe, and the frontage of the old girls grammar school. There are plans to bring a special exhibition on loan from the British Museum later this year, which would be housed in a new special exhibtions section.

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “I am thrilled the doors are set to open. This is one of the biggest things to have happened in the Doncaster borough and our town centre for a very long time. We have had interest from all over the world and now we can let the first visitors in to see this stunning building and memorable collections in all its glory. This is history in the making.

“As a temporary measure we need to limit visitors and library users until the Government restrictions are lifted. People wanting to visit or use the new services have to book in advance either online or by phone. They can also call into the Tourist Information Centre to book their place.”

There will be tour slots available Monday to Saturday throughout the day.

The museum and art gallery tours will be one and a half hours in length to give people plenty of time to have a good look round.

The library visits will each be one hour long for people to browse and choose books or use the various digital services. There will be a short break between scheduled visits for public safety.

The new café will also be offering people a takeaway service.

People will soon be able to book their tickets at www.DGLAM.org.uk or by calling 01302 734309 or visit the Tourist Information Centre to book a timeslot.

The bookings system will go live on Friday 21 May.

The latest government advice is that the Covid restrictions could end on Monday 21 June 2021. The pre-booking system will be reviewed in light of relevant Government announcements and it is hoped will no longer be required at this point.

Coun Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure, Culture and Planning, said: “Now the building is complete and fully kitted out we wanted to get it open, even if this meant having a limited numbers of visitors while we wait for the Covid restrictions to end. We know some people may be disappointed if there is a big demand for tickets but we have to observe the latest rules and guidance and open it safely. Please bear with us. All being well, we can remove this temporary measure shortly to allow everyone to enjoy this incredible new attraction in our Civic and Cultural Quarter.”

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