VISITOR numbers to a major cultural attraction have dropped by more than a half since the decision to start charging non-residents earlier this year.

Just 33,000 visitors went to Brighton Museum and Art Gallery between May 5 and August 5 compared to 71,000 last year and 87,000 in 2013.

Councillors have described the outcome as “disappointing” and warned against using falling attendances to justify reducing opening hours at the venue.

The drop in attendances falls within the council’s own predictions of a 50 to 75 per cent decrease made when the introduction of a £5 entry fee for non-residents was proposed for the 2015/16 budget.

Council officers said the department was on target to meet its £200,000 savings this financial year thanks to the new charges, increased public donations, higher average retail spend and the doubling of memberships.

The council received £67,000 in admissions under the new prices – a figure which also included revenue from ticket sales to temporary exhibitions.

Sales at the museum’s gift shop fell less sharply than attendance numbers with the tills ringing through £24,000 compared to £35,000 in 2012.

There was also good news in terms of donations with generous visitors gifting almost £3,500 as part of a drive which has already achieved the target for the whole of the first year.

Councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn, Conservative economic development and culture spokesman, said: “It is disappointing, to price people out of our heritage is wrong.

“The museum has to remain free for residents who are already paying for it through their council.

“The worry is that elsewhere in the country where attendances are falling, then they reduce the number of hours of opening and attendances fall further."

Janita Bagshawe, head of the Royal Pavilion and Museums, said: “We predicted that visitor numbers would fall when admission fees were introduced, but it’s also worth noting that trends in visitor numbers fluctuate a great deal and are influenced by a huge variety of factors, from the weather and the subjects in the national curriculum to the exhibitions and activities we programme.”

She added entrance to the museum remains free to the city’s residents, students and school children on organised visits as well as other cultural attractions including Hove Museum and Art Gallery and the Booth Museum of Natural History.

Councillor Adrian Morris, lead member for tourism and arts, said: “We’re optimistic about the future, working towards new business models for the Royal Pavilion and museums to enable a thriving and relevant service for residents and visitors that will stand the test of time.”