Plans to turn £3m former Henley museum into fitness centre

The 35,688 sq ft museum building has two different parts and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.

In October 2022 it underwent a £1.1m refurbishment project.

But in July 2025, the foundation trust made the decision to shut down the operation, citing rising costs.

“Us occupying the building was leading to ongoing sustained financial losses, which meant that had we not taken the decision to close, the charity probably would have been bankrupt within 18 months to two years,” Sandhu said.

“Our focus has been on finding a new owner for the building and relinquishing financial responsibility for it.”

He said a sale would put the trust “in a much stronger financial position”.

“Hopefully the right people will take over the building and we can find a new home either within the building or perhaps even in a new location,” he added.

The BBC has contacted Mike Spink and Rob Hamilton for a comment.