The Norfolk Museums Service's Museums Pass has surpassed 10,000 members, giving the service a reliable income base as it navigates cost-of-living pressures that could dampen visitor spending.

Director of Culture & Heritage Steve Miller told the Norfolk Joint Museums Committee on 24 April that commercial events at Norwich Castle — including weddings, banquets, and award ceremonies — are becoming an increasingly important revenue stream alongside pass memberships.

Committee members raised concerns about whether visitors were spending less on secondary items like food and retail due to the cost of living. Officers acknowledged this risk, saying visitor projections for 2026/27 had already been adjusted downward to account for an expected normalisation in footfall following the castle's high-profile reopening.

One councillor asked whether the castle could align its events calendar with major happenings in Norwich city centre to maximise revenue. Miller said the focus was instead on maximising the Royal Palace: Reborn project through commercialised venue hire.

Separate concerns were raised about facilities at Norwich Castle, including toilets, the café counter, and an accessible lift. The Assistant Head of Museums, Dr Robin Hanley, confirmed the lift is operational and that the Operations Manager is actively addressing the other issues.

The Museums Pass was highlighted as a key tool for public engagement beyond just income generation, offering members repeat visits across all ten Norfolk museum sites.