Glasgow's Tall Ship 'Glenlee' to become paid attraction once again
It's being put down to the "challenging funding landscape and rising costs"
The charity running the Tall Ship Glenlee attraction on the River Clyde in Glasgow is bringing back admission charges to help get its finances back on an even keel.
Up until now, the Clyde-built sailing ship, is moored outside the Riverside Museum and welcomes 200,000 visitors annually, was the only free-to-visit historic vessel or museum attraction of its kind in the UK.
The Trust says it will begin charging again from 1st July following careful analysis of the challenging funding landscape and rising costs.
Staying afloat
The funds will be used to fill the financial gap the ship faces, cover its running costs, deliver the best possible experience onboard for all and allow the independent charity to be more self-sufficient and better plan for the future.
The charge will be introduced alongside a new booking system, which will allow visitors to buy tickets online in advance at thetallship.com.
As the only Clydebuilt sailing ship of its kind still afloat on the Clyde, the vessel is of international significance and has an important role in Glasgow and Scotland’s world-class cultural landscape, serving as a reminder of the city’s industrial and maritime heritage.
Family on board the Tall Ship
The ship was originally a paid attraction, charging for entry for 13 years between 1999 and 2012. A reintroduction of entry fees has been considered for some time in light of rising costs, a reduction in onboard spending and donations, the impact of the pandemic and static external funding.
Fiona Greer, Development Director at The Tall Ship Glenlee, said: “As an independent charity, we are facing a similar situation as many other historic vessels and museum attractions across the UK who have expressed shared challenges. We know The Tall Ship Glenlee holds a very special place in many people’s hearts, both here in Glasgow and around the world, and we now need the public’s support to ensure we can continue to thrive. The ship is an icon of change that has adapted to survive over 127 years and is now embarking on its next chapter, and a more certain and hopeful future.”
The ship currently relies on revenue from a mixture of commercial income from private events, voluntary donations, and public funding and project-specific ring-fenced grants.
What will the new charges look like?
Admissions will be priced at £4.50 for adults, and £2.70 for children, £12.70 for a family of four, with concessions for students and pensioners and under 5s going free.
Visitors who are UK taxpayers will also have the option to purchase tickets with an added Gift Aid donation. Regular visitors can also take out an Annual Membership which allows unlimited visits over 12 months for the cost of just three individual trips.
Fiona Greer, Development Director at The Tall Ship Glenlee, added: “We are incredibly grateful for all the critical support we receive from current funders and supporters, however there is a significant gap that needs to be filled. We have looked to fix the admissions fees at a level far below the UK average museum attraction entry charge to ensure the ship continues to attract and be accessible to as large and diverse an audience as possible, while fairly reflecting the unique, quality experience of exploring an iconic ship like the Glenlee.”
Built in 1896, the former merchant sailing vessel is 127 years old and has circumnavigated the globe five times. It now provides a truly unique space for exploration, learning, heritage and entertainment in Glasgow.
This summer will see the launch of a new immersive visitor experience for people to enjoy on board. Funded by Museums Galleries Scotland, this range of new installations include enhanced interpretations delving deeper into Glenlee's story than ever before, three distinct soundscapes which transport visitors through the chapters of the vessels’ history, from a brewing storm in the cargo hold to the rumble of the diesel engines, and a smell interpretation, which will vividly bring the realities of being at sea to life.
The Tall Ship Glenlee will be a paid attraction from Monday 1st July 2024. Visitors can buy their tickets on entry or in advance online at www.thetallship.com.