Royal Armouries Leeds blames hot summer and World Cup as visitor numbers drop 10% in just one year

Visitor numbers at the number one attraction in Leeds - according to TripAdvisor - have plummeted from 301,809 in 2004/5 to 193,254 in 2018/19.

Dr Edward Impey, Director General and Master of the Armouries, said the museum experienced major reductions in funding through the 2000s - peaking in 2010/11 which lead to a drop of 21% in visitor numbers in just one year.

The figures were published as part of a data set by the Government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, last updated in May 2019.

However, Dr Impey said following major recent investment by the treasury, the museum is expected to grow visitor numbers significantly year on year.

Dr Impey said: "The Royal Armouries experienced well documented major reductions in funding through the 2000s which in 2010-11 led to drastic changes in our signature live programme as interpretation and education staff were laid off, and a drop in visitor figures of 21% from 2010-11 to 2011-12.

"Since then visitor numbers have held steady at around 220,000 per year as we have stabilised and looked to rebuild our offering.

"We did see a drop in visitor numbers at our Leeds museum last year of approimately 10%, which was challenging, but as a largely indoor attraction we weren't alone in this, with factors including an exceptionally hot summer as well as the World Cup playing a part.