CAMPAIGNERS have called for a charitable trust, not a business, to take over Dinosaur Isle.
The Isle of Wight Council plans to sell the Sandown museum and invited potential buyers from the public, private and voluntary sectors to an open day on Tuesday, October 17.
According to the invitation: “This development will be the next evolution of Dinosaur Isle — transforming it into a nationally important visitor attraction while further developing its role as a world class scientific resource and an important regional educational centre.”
The council previously said any sale would include a caveat that Dinosaur Isle remain a museum, after the Friends of Dinosaur Isle raised concerns it could lose its accredited status.
They believe a charitable trust, formed by the council, should take over the museum.
An email to supporters said: “It can only keep its accredited status by being run by a local council, academic institution, charitable trust or other not-for-profit body. If it is acquired by a business organisation it automatically loses its accreditation and simply becomes a private museum with no recognised status.
“As a charitable trust it would be possible to develop the palaeontological and geological collections and activities and create a science hub offering day schools, courses and workshops.”