Visits to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery fell from 164,068 in July to April in 2022-23 to 146,068 for the same period in 2023-24, a report for the Dunedin City Council’s community services committee said.
Art gallery director Cam McCracken said nothing stood out as being a cause for the lower visitation rate, other than the cafe’s closure.
The vacant cafe space is adjoined to the gallery foyer.
Nova Cafe closed in March last year.
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum had a large increase in visitors.
Its numbers rose from 182,101 in July to April in 2022-23 to 267,441 for the same period in 2023-24, the report said.
This was due to "a busy cruise ship season, the newly opened transport and technology gallery and the popular Christmas activities in December".
Visitation to Olveston Historic Home and Lan Yuan, the Dunedin Chinese Garden, remained steady.
