Maidstone Museum is set to close to the public on Mondays – and there is a chance it could eventually shut on Sundays too.

Maintaining the Elizabethan building and the challenge of curating more than 600,000 objects were given as key reasons for closing the St Faith’s Street premises on the first day of the week.

A low level of visitors on Sundays means further research is now being carried out to see if changes to opening times are needed.

It is already only open on a Sunday between Easter and the end of September.

The new hours were approved by Cllr Malcolm Greer, former cabinet member for economic and commercial development, on Friday.

Cllr Fran Wilson, the new leader of Maidstone council, accepts the Monday closure is necessary but is opposed to seeing it inaccessible for half of the weekend.

“It would put out all the wrong messages to close it on a Sunday. It’s an intrinsic part of the town’s offer,” she said.

“Mondays are a different kettle of fish. I understand what needs to be done from a curation side and the preparation of exhibitions.

“The museum is a key asset in the borough’s cultural and visitor offer and these measures will enable us to maintain high standards and our accreditation.” — Dawn Hudd, head of commercial and economic development for Maidstone Borough Council

“It’s quite common up and down the country for museums to be closed, especially on a Monday.

“It will enable workers to catalogue the collection and organise exhibitions. It will make the museum better.

“However, staying open on Sunday, to my mind, is very, very important.”

The museum attracts about 70,000 visitors each year but, according to a report made by the council’s business improvement team, visiting numbers on Sunday are “consistently low”.

It also found that more time was needed to carry out audits and maintain fixed exhibits.

A report produced by Dawn Hudd, the head of commercial and economic development for Maidstone council, said: “Not agreeing to shut the museum to the general public on Mondays will severely affect our ability to maintain the building and collection which could impact on our accreditation with Arts Council England.

“The museum is a key asset in the borough’s cultural and visitor offer and these measures will enable us to maintain high standards and our accreditation.”

The decision should become effective on Tuesday however it could be called in for further scrutiny should two councillors challenge the decision before Monday.