Birmingham’s Roundhouse, a significant heritage site, has announced the immediate suspension of its city and canal tours, citing escalating operational costs as a primary factor.
The announcement was made via a Facebook post on Wednesday, informing customers that all tours were canceled and pre-booked tours would receive full refunds. The charity expressed its apologies for any inconvenience caused.
According to the Roundhouse’s website, the Grade II* listed horseshoe-shaped building on Sheepcote Street is currently closed to the public, with only the restaurant maintaining its regular operating hours.
A spokesperson clarified that all tours and activities are temporarily paused while the organization undertakes a comprehensive review of its leisure offerings. They noted that the popular guided walks, kayak tours, and boat trips faced challenges due to uncontrollable rising costs.
The spokesperson emphasized that other areas of the building, including office spaces and those leased to local businesses—such as the Ristorante Café Arena—remain unaffected and will continue operating as normal.
Roundhouse Birmingham is an independent charity and heritage enterprise, responsible for managing the building and providing various tours and activities. Established through a collaboration between the Canal & River Trust and the National Trust, the charity aims to ensure the Roundhouse’s sustainable future.
Originally constructed in the 19th century as stables and storage facilities, the building underwent a significant restoration project completed in 2013. The Canal & River Trust notes its original construction in 1874 by Birmingham architect W.H. Ward for the Public Works Department, as part of a large-scale city improvement initiative.
The BBC has reached out to the Canal & River Trust for further comment.
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