as a result of government funding cuts, kirklees council considered that it could only afford to operate two museums, one in the north of the borough and one in huddersfield. red house, the tolson and dewsbury museums were consequently threatened with closure. the council for british archaeology yorkshire, said the authority wanted to save £531,000 by 2017–18." friends of the museum and literary groups concerned with the loss of a bronte connection were dismayed at the prospect of the museum closing and campaigned to keep it open. kirklees council closed red house on 21 december 2016. its contents will be stored or dispersed and the building is to be sold.