CARPET MUSEUM TRUST
THE MUSEUM OF CARPET EXISTS TO PROMOTE THE HERITAGE AND HISTORY OF THE 300-YEAR OLD CARPET MAKING INDUSTRY IN KIDDERMINSTER THAT BECAME THE CENTRE OF THE TRADE IN CARPETS.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity prepared its financial statements on a going concern basis despite identifying a material uncertainty regarding its long-term viability and ability to generate sufficient future income. The trustees report that the museum closed to the public in December 2025, staff contracts were not renewed, and the charity is currently operating with only trustees and volunteers while discussing a potential relaunch with local councils.
What the accounts disclose
“Income Sources from Charitable Activities 5 47,981 10,605 58,586 48,906” — page 9
“The intention is to have 3 months Unrestricted Reserves” — page 5
“However, there remains a material uncertainty in relation to the success of the proposed relaunch and the charity's ability to generate sufficient income and public support in the future.”
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (28/11/2016)
Trustees
- Geoffrey Gilbertchair
- David Roger Wheadon
- Douglas Hine
- ELIZABETH ANN PUGH-COOK
- GORDON COOPER
- James Richard Perrin
- Jean Talbot
- Michael Loftus
- Sobia Shaw
- Steven Leslie Victor Hollands
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £98k | £89k |
| 31/12/2024 | £91k | £107k |
| 31/12/2023 | £85k | £89k |
| 31/12/2022 | £101k | £100k |
| 31/12/2021 | £121k | £109k |
Common questions
Is CARPET MUSEUM TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity prepared its financial statements on a going concern basis despite identifying a material uncertainty regarding its long-term viability and ability to generate sufficient future income. The trustees report that the museum closed to the public in December 2025, staff contracts were not renewed, and the charity is currently operating with only trustees and volunteers while discussing a potential relaunch with local councils. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds CARPET MUSEUM TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name CARPET MUSEUM TRUST as a grant recipient include WILLIAM ADLINGTON CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE ELMLEY FOUNDATION, THE EDWARD CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE EDGAR E LAWLEY FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM ADLINGTON CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £20k | Grant |
| THE ELMLEY FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £15k | |
| THE ELMLEY FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £3k | |
| THE EDWARD CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £3k | Conservation and Environment |
| THE EDWARD CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £3k | Conservation and Environment |
| THE EDGAR E LAWLEY FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £2k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 26/05/2020 | £14k | "COVID19 The Carpet Museum Trust" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 23/01/2020 | £8k | "New talks for new audiences" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 22/01/2016 | £49k | "Securing a sustainable future for the Museum of Carpet" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 28/01/2013 | £25k | "Project Development Officer" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 10/09/2008 | £2.2m | "The Carpet Museum, Kidderminster" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 30/10/2007 | £50k | "The Weaving Shed - Kidderminster Carpet Museum (working title)" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 25/05/2004 | £50k | "Carpet Archives Centre" |