Olympics drive surge in Much Wenlock Museum numbers

Olympic fever might have left the West End deserted and London traders counting the cost – but the Shropshire town considered to be the birthplace of the global sporting spectacle has been enjoying a massive surge in interest.

Much Wenlock Museum has seen almost 10,000 visitors pass through its doors in the last month – three times the number recorded over the same period in 2010.

In July, the museum had 9,832 visitors, which is three times more than the 3,243 who visited two years previously.

The museum was closed for renovations this time last year.

The increase in visitors has also been felt elsewhere in the town, which inspired the modern Olympic movement through the games founded in 1850 by Dr William Penny Brookes.

Sally McGilp, who works at Wenlock Books, said she had noticed an increase in trade over the past few weeks.

She said: "We are doing quite well really. There have been a lot of visitors, certainly. It's very gratifying that people come to the bookshop.

"I would say over the past few weeks, 99 per cent of people who have come in have been visitors."

Councillor Milner Whiteman, Shropshire councillor for Much Wenlock, said: "I am very pleased to see the huge increase in the number of visitors to Much Wenlock Museum."

"It is without doubt a very nice visitor experience, free to everyone who comes to Much Wenlock, and I do hope people will come in even greater numbers."

In the build up to the Olympics and during the Wenlock Olympian Games, visitors and press from all over the world visited the town.

Mike Owen, Shropshire Council cabinet member , said: "This is great news for the museum, and a testament to all the hard work and dedication so many people have given to this fantastic project."

By Ann Clarkson