Cardiff's 'Doctor Who' Experience Closes, But A New Attraction Could Be In The Making?

Doctor Who has been on our screens for over 50 years now, and with the show still going, fans don't seem to be tiring of it. With the show currently on the twelfth Doctor, a thirteenth is set to be introduced Christmas Day this year.

Ever since its revival in 2005, #DoctorWho has become one of the #BBC's biggest television shows, entertaining audiences of all ages. As part of the shows growth, the BBC opened up the Doctor Who Experience, where fans could view actual Doctor Who props, costumes and even TARDIS sets. However, news hit the internet hard over the last couple of months when it was revealed that the Doctor Who Experience was set to close Summer 2017.

With this news upsetting many fans, an online petition titled "Save Cardiff's Doctor Who Experience" was launched, where fans could sign their name in protest to keep the experience open. Since the launch of the petition, it has gathered over 10,000 signatures.

Why Did The 'Doctor Who' Experience Close?

The reason behind the museum's closure is due to the five-year lease on its current land in Cardiff Bay expiring this summer. The land is leased by the Welsh Government, which is then passed on to Cardiff council, which is then sublet by BBC Worldwide.

With the deal rapidly running out, fans are hoping the petition reaches Cardiff council and can show the council and BBC Worldwide that #DoctorWho fans admire the attraction and would be devastated to see the props and costumes archived away forever. On the other hand, all fans are hoping the Doctor Who Experience is able to set up the museum in a different location, which will save it from permanently being closed. Petition organizer Bex Ferriday said this in a statement:

“I know the land was only leased for five years but surely anyone can see that... to knock this on the head, when we have got 'Doctor Who' being filmed here and the studios here, seems like a really stupid thing to do. I think the way it’s been done suggests they know this was going to cause a great deal of upset . I think the deal has been done, but my message to people who have signed the petition is that we want to have something, a smaller version, somewhere in Cardiff.”

The petition ended up gathering 12,000, which was passed on to the Doctor Who Experience on Saturday, March 4th, which is now expected to be passed onto Cardiff Council.

The #BBC was asked if they were looking at setting up the museum somewhere else in Cardiff:

"We are exploring ways in which we can use the artefacts in possible new events."

A New Attraction In the Making?

Despite a huge uproar from hardcore Doctor Who fans, the experience closed its doors in September, even though 12,000 people signed the petition to desperately keep the Experience open. However, people of Cardiff's council have now realized that the Doctor Who Experience brought tourism, jobs and provided an economic boost for the area, and are now looking at opening up an all-new attraction as a replacement.

A member of Cardiff's cabinet, Russell Goodway, has revealed that there are currently discussions on filling in the empty building, which was designed and built especially for the Experience.

It has also been revealed that Lib Dem Councillor, Emma Sandrey, has written to the council, who have now responded with some positive news. In response, Goodway said:

“Discussions had been ongoing with BBC Worldwide to secure a replacement Doctor Who related attraction in the city."

Following the positive response, Goodway explained that he is now ready to share proposals regarding a new attraction with his fellow councillors and 'a meeting will be arranged shortly.'

Final Thoughts

At this point in time, Goodway has refused to comment on what these proposals contain. However, Goodway said he will be making a statement in the future explaining how the Doctor Who Experience affected Cardiff financially and if it's worth opening up a new attraction.

In the meantime, fans can still visit the city to view the locations which were used in Doctor Who, as well as, visiting Ianto's Shrine, which is centered around the spin-off show, Torchwood.