Jewish Museum of London in Camden shuts its doors

Trustees of the Jewish Museum of London had announced plans to close the museum in a Grade II-listed town house in Albert Street, Camden, at the beginning of June.

The museum said it had ambitions to reopen in a larger new home within the next five years.

At the time of the announcement, the museum said it was the “smallest Jewish museum” among major European cities, despite boasting the second largest collection and being home to a large Jewish community.

The Judaica gallery at Jewish Museum London (Image: Benedict Johnson Photography)

In the announcement, trustees said: “The museum is unable to meet all the demands of its successful schools programme in the current site, while the exhibition space is relatively small, and is not sufficient for the future ambitions of the organisation.”

Due to the rising costs, the museum says it can no longer stage major exhibitions such as Jews, Money Myth, Seeing Auschwitz, or 2013's Amy Winehouse, A Family Portrait.

Nick Viner, chair of Jewish Museum London, said: "As we approach our centenary, Jewish Museum London is at a crossroads. We have an extraordinary opportunity to re-envisage the museum for the future. We are deeply grateful for the commitment and generosity of countless people who have made the site at Albert Street a home to ground-breaking exhibitions and our award-winning education programme.

"Our decision to sell the current building is not taken lightly, but as trustees it’s our responsibility to consider the longer-term sustainability of the museum."