Brief
Visitors turned away as British Museum closes early for Chancellor's gala
The museum closed ahead of schedule for a Samsung‑sponsored dinner attended by Chancellor John Healey, prompting refunds and free re‑booking for ticket holders.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Hundreds of people queuing to see the 1,000‑year‑old Bayeux Tapestry were denied entry on Wednesday afternoon when the British Museum closed early for a gala dinner.
The event, sponsored by Samsung to mark the opening of a Korea exhibition, was set to be attended by Chancellor John Healey. Although the museum said arrangements had been made to avoid a clash, time slots ran over schedule, forcing the early shutdown.
Ticket holders will be refunded and offered a free opportunity to view the exhibition later, the museum said in a statement. Visitors reported long waits – one user said she waited an hour and a half despite a fixed entry time – and were instructed to "keep moving" as the museum managed the crowd.
Key facts
- The British Museum closed early on Wednesday for a gala dinner. (standard.co.uk)
- Chancellor John Healey was scheduled to attend the Samsung‑sponsored event. (standard.co.uk)
- Ticket holders will receive refunds and a free re‑booking for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Bayeux Tapestry visitors denied entry to make way for Chancellor’s dinner”
