Fire chiefs shut RAF radar museum at Norfolk base
A museum in Norfolk that traces use of radar by the RAF from its invention in 1935 to the present day has been closed after an inspection by MoD fire chiefs.
The RAF Air Defence Radar Museum was founded in a former base at Neatishead near Horning 15 years ago.
It received notice to close because of a lack of sufficient fire escape provision for the general public and disabled people in particular.
Manager Doug Robb said up to £50,000 was needed to bring it up to standard.
"A senior Ministry of Defence fire inspector came to visit last Tuesday and I received an enforcement notice on Thursday which meant I had to close the museum immediately," Mr Robb said.
"Visitor numbers had been increasing week-on-week. In fact, the day I received notice to close was the best we'd ever had."
The museum was a major listening post during the Cold War, Mr Robb said.
The government body Defence Estates runs the siteand said it had a responsibility to see current regulations were met.
A spokesman said the museum trust must foot the bill for changes to the fire escape provision.
The trustees are to meet shortly to decide their next move.