ENTRY fees for Evesham's 'best known' museum will be free from next month to save the council from having to pay nearly £500,000 in tax costs for restoring the building. 

The Almonry, which currently costs £5 for adults to enter will be free to enter from August 1. 

The decision was unanimously agreed to at an Evesham Town Council meeting on July 8 to save the council from having to pay around £420,000 in VAT for the restoration costs. 

The museum was awarded over £2.1 million in MEND funding in March, however the funding is so high, that the council is unable to claim back the VAT leaving the additional huge bill. 

Upon this discovery, the council went to a consultant who recommended reducing the fees to zero which would alleviate the issue and allow the full recovery of VAT for 'items of expenditure from the restoration project'.

The fees will be 'set to zero' for the next three years, whilst the project to restore The Almonry is underway, but the museum can still accept donations from visitors. 

John Clatworthy deputy mayor and chairman of The Almonry Advisory Panel said: "At the council meeting earlier this week the decision was made to make the Almonry free admission. 

"It all comes to the parameters of this £2.175 million grant that was awarded to The Almonry in March to restore the building. 

"I think setting the fees to zero will definitely attract more people to the museum and hopefully more people will learn more about it. 

"We won't be demanding donations, but donations would be welcome, it's all up to the individuals."

The Almonry, two churches, bell tower and cloister arch are all that remain of what was reportedly the third largest abbey in England.

This early 15th Century building was once home to the Almoner, one of the monks from the Benedictine Abbey that was founded at Evesham in the 8th Century.

It houses an eclectic collection that spans from the prehistoric to the 20th Century.

The museum is displayed over two floors and the garden: the emphasis is on how Evesham has developed and grown over time.

There are exhibitions about the Abbey, the battle of Evesham in 1265, horticulture in the area, Archaeology and fossils and a Victorian school room.

The Almonry, which is over 500 years old and was put on the At Risk Registry in 2016, was in 'desperate' need of the funding according to manager Ashleigh Jayes.

Speaking in April, Miss Jayes said: "We are ecstatic we can't believe it, it's a lifeline for this building. 

"It's a big job and it's a long list, but it's all necessary to keep the building going."

Jo Adams, Evesham Town Council clerk acknowledged the "great timing" of the decision, with The Battle of Evesham Festival happening just days after the fees are set to be reduced.