How much would you pay to go to the V&A?
Alan Borg, the new director of the V&A, suggests that most visitors could afford a pounds 10 entry fee. We put this to people visiting the museum this week (for free)
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Your support makes all the difference.Mrs Simons, retired, Elstree:
pounds 10 is worth it, but I don't think that the majority of people can afford it. There are other museums to go to, and I'm afraid they'll outprice themselves.
Mr Grant, 29, traveller, South Africa:
I suppose it depends on your interests, but just a normal traveller or normal tourist who is not especially interested in art is not going to pay. About pounds 4 is OK for admission, and less for students.
Ruth Lovegrove, 19, student, Cardiff:
It's worth pounds 10 on the basis of what I've just seen, but they're already taking that off us in taxes, so I wouldn't be prepared to pay that, especially as a student. I think it's best just giving donations: I'd give a donation but if it was demanded I wouldn't agree with it, because it's heritage and we should be able to see it for nothing.
Oliver White, 17, sixth-former, Devon:
I wouldn't pay pounds 10. I wouldn't pay the price they suggest here as a donation, pounds 4.50, myself. I would have thought pounds 2.50 was about normal; that's what they've charged at most of the other galleries I've been to, and this one isn't my favourite at all.
Lesley Griggs, floral designer, Gloucester:
I honestly don't think you should have to pay for museums. I would pay, personally, but I think there are people who can't afford pounds 10 admission. I think maybe up to pounds 5, with a reduction for children, might be acceptable.
Mark Campbell, 36, businessman, London:
Though it's probably worth paying, maybe this is what they should be using some of the lottery money for. I often come here, but I would not really be happy if they were to start charging; I would certainly cut down on the number of visits I make.
Graham Taylor, 40, airport employee, Heathrow:
It offers everything to everybody, particularly the student, but I think pounds 10 is a bit excessive. I would say about pounds 5, pounds 5.50, but I can remember coming here with my father and getting in for free, though you could make a donation. I think this is free enterprise going a little bit too far.
Wendy Hanford, 45, housewife, Haywards Heath:
For what's actually in there I expect that it's quite reasonable to have to pay, but I doubt ordinary people living around London could afford it. pounds 10 is way too much per visit.
Luke Arpidge, 58, company president, USA:
I'd be happy to pay pounds 10 to see what I've seen, and I think most tourists would, though I guess people living locally would object.
Interviews by Scott Hughes
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