 The National Gallery saw a decline of 40% over the whole of August |
Museums and galleries in London saw a big decline in visitor numbers in the wake of July's bomb attacks, according to a report in The Art newspaper. Hardest hit was the National Gallery, which saw its visitor numbers fall by 46% in the first week of August compared with the same week last year.
The British Museum and Tate Modern also faced shortfalls, the paper reported.
A National Gallery spokeswoman confirmed visitor figures for the whole of August were down 40% on 2004.
July's attacks on the capital were a key factor in the shortfall, she said.
She added that the gallery's proximity to Whitehall and its central London location made it particularly vulnerable to transport disruption.
Overall the capital's seven leading galleries saw an average fall of 26% compared to 2004 figures, the newspaper said.
Only the National Portrait Gallery witnessed a rise in attendances in the first week of August compared to the year before.
The Tate Modern and the British Museum were approached for comment but have yet to confirm the newspaper's figures.
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