The charity which runs the Curtis Museum and Allen Gallery in Alton has warned it might have to cut jobs to deal with rising costs and wages.

Hampshire Cultural Trust, which operates 24 museums, galleries and arts centres across the county, is undertaking a “restructure” to reduce expenditure and focus more on generating income.

It is consulting staff affected by proposed changes which could result in 20 redundancies. The trust has 210 full-time and part-time staff and wants to give those at risk alternative roles where possible.

Chief executive Paul Sapwell said: “These changes unfortunately mean that we will have to make some very difficult decisions, but it is only by doing this that we will be able to continue to deliver high-quality arts and culture both for our communities and visitors to the county in the long term.

“Our visitors are spending less with us as household budgets are squeezed, and we now need to absorb higher wage costs, as well as the impact of inflation and increased utility bills.

“We have a robust long-term business plan which is supported by the investment that we have made in our venues over recent years and the continued support of our funders.”

The trust was recently given £500,000 per year for three years by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation, and Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council will not cut its grants for 2023-24 – but the charity still needs to reduce costs. It hopes to have its new structure in place by February 6.

It does not intend to close any of its 24 venues but the restructure will review opening times and the prices of tickets, food and drink.

Mr Sapwell added: ‘We will plan to review prices in all areas of the business but we have to be careful to pass the cost on to the clients.

"At the moment we are studying different areas where we can grow, such as the educational area."

He believes central government needs to support the cultural sector: "Cultural venues require more government funds because it is our heritage and we look after it.

"We generate social impact and we develop a community service. The government needs to highlight our social role."