An influential charity that protects the heritage of a west Suffolk market town will meet to discuss 'deeply disappointing' plans to close the town's record office. 

Suffolk County Council is set to cut its £500,000 funding investment in the arts and culture sector and close its record office in Bury St Edmunds, while putting tax bills up by a maximum of 5%, this spring.

The county's records are to be concentrated on The Hold in Ipswich, but the proposed closures have caused dismay in the town. 

Bury Mercury: Residents met outside the records office in protest last weekResidents met outside the records office in protest last week (Image: Bury Society CIO)

Martyn Taylor, chair of the Bury Society, said a meeting, which is invite-only due to space and where 80 interested parties will discuss the controversial plans, will take place at Bury St Edmunds Guildhall on January 23 from 7pm.

Of the meeting, he said: "Discussions will be about raising a petition, forming a steering group to focus on the relevant issues, namely ensuring the wonderful heritage of Bury St Edmunds remain in the town."

Bury Mercury: Martyn Taylor, chair of the Bury SocietyMartyn Taylor, chair of the Bury Society (Image: Bury St Edmunds Society CIO)

"The Bury Society on behalf of the town and west Suffolk are deeply disappointed to hear that Suffolk County Council are proposing closing Suffolk Archives in Bury St Edmunds and moving it to the Hold in Ipswich. 

"Our historical archives and records do not belong in Ipswich, they belong in Bury St Edmunds," he said.

"We need to look after our past for the future and the Bury Society is leading a campaign against this proposal." 

Diane Hind, who represents Tollgate on West Suffolk Council, said last week of the plans to move the records: "I believe this is a deeply retrograde step, and unnecessary.

"West Suffolk Council has done everything it can to work with SCC to find suitable new premises for the archive, and we continue to be willing to do so.

Bury Mercury: Cllr Diane HindCllr Diane Hind (Image: West Suffolk Council)

"Their decision is purely down to a misguided attempt to save a small amount of money in the short term. It is short sighted and damaging to the heritage of our historic town."

A Suffolk County Council spokesman said the council is facing the most challenging budget-setting process in many years, with inflation putting significant pressure on services like SEND, school transport and children in care. 

The spokesman said £140,000 of savings will be achieved by centralising Suffolk Archives to The Hold and closing the branches in west and east Suffolk.

Bobby Bennett, cabinet member for equality and communities, said: "Investing in one location will help us improve access to archives through offering on the day productions and increased digital productions, and reach wider audiences through outreach and engagement activities.

"The purpose-built strongrooms at The Hold offer the best protection and care for Suffolk’s collections of national and international significance, spanning more than 900 years of Suffolk’s history."