A POPULAR tourist attraction has confirmed it will stay shut for the remainder of the 2020 holiday season.

The team at Crewe Heritage Centre say that due to the current pandemic crisis they have taken the decision to remain temporarily closed.

Last week Mike Lenz, manager of the centre, which is owned by Crewe Heritage Trust and operated by supporters, told Crewe Nub News that it was "unlikely the centre will reopen before 2021".

The visitor attraction in Vernon Way had been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus outbreak, but updates on the centre's website and social media remained optimistic there would be a phased reopening this year.

Now in a statement the centre says it has "had to take unprecedented steps to deal with the current crisis".

While key team members have been allowed to return to maintain the centre's museum with a stringent hygiene and social distancing policy in place, the decision has been made not to allow members of the public in for the remainder of 2020.

In a statement the centre stressed: "The charity is in a strong financial position and we are currently anticipating that we will reopen in early 2021.

"We are routinely reviewing the situation and may look to open sooner if possible. Our online shop remains unaffected by these measures and every purchase helps to support the Heritage Centre.

"The entire Crewe Heritage Centre team wish all our visitors, members and associates and their loved ones well during this time."

Among the attractions at the centre are some fine examples of Crewe's railway history, including the North Junction signal box and a tilting Advanced Passenger Train, APT, train as well as the main exhibition hall and a miniature railway.

The centre says 2020 season passes will carry over to the entire 2021 season and a new card will be sent out automatically in January.