Yahoo Finance The Londoner: Treasures are at risk: Antiquarians go to war over rent
The Society of Antiquaries has gone public in its rent battle with the Government as it says it could be forced to move from Burlington House, where it has been for 140 years, or sell parts of its collection.
Historian Michael Wood told us: " I feel the Government has a responsibility to support a resolution to the Burlington House rental issue, which is damaging the Society's ability to perform its role for our nation-and beyond."
“The Society is now being effectively forced out because of rapidly escalating rents; already rent has increased by 3,100 per cent since 2012,” said a statement on its website.
Burlington House, off Piccadilly, which is owned by the Government, also houses the Royal Academy, along with four other societies. Its special items include three copies of Magna Carta, and rare ancient manuscripts and artefacts. A spokesperson for the Society told The Londoner that Fellows and supporters had begun writing letters to MPs, and were “already receiving positive responses”.
They said that although “no plans or decisions” had been made on the sale of items, it was a possibility. “This route would only be pursued as a last possible resort in order to protect the rest of the collection.”
The Society, now an educational charity, was founded in 1707 and has more than 3000 fellows.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government told the Art Newspaper it was “exploring” solutions.
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