THE boss of the Museum of East Anglian Life expects it to ride out the difficult economic conditions as it prepares to open for a new season.

Last year the museum, based in Stowmarket, attracted 40,000 people to the 75-acre site.

Museum director Tony Butler said Abbot’s Hall, which was opened last year following its £3.5million restoration, had taken the level of facilities up a level.

He said: “We had 40,000 last year and we are hoping that is generally sustained. Abbot’s Hall will still have free admission and we are obviously really pushing season tickets and general admissions to the site. We are hoping the numbers will stay there or thereabouts.

“With the investment in Abbot’s Hall it’s raised the standards of things that happen here.

“It’s important for the museum to be part of the community – working with the Mix youth centre and with young people. It is exactly the type of work that we should be doing.

“We understand the economic conditions and so we have not put up admission prices. With Abbot’s Hall still free, we are hoping people will still be able to pop in at their leisure.

“People might stay in the country rather than go abroad. And there’s the Curious County campaign which is pushing Suffolk as a destination for people from the London area and beyond to visit.”

On Sunday, March 17 the museum will open for the new season with its popular Stowmarket Free Day.

For one day the museum will be free to enter and will be offering a 25% discount on season tickets.

A packed programme of events and exhibitions are being prepared including Stow Blues and its annual beer festival.