The Armouries preferred to take over responsibility for the museum itself

1.83  The Armouries preferred Option 6, even though this was not the cheapest. Under this option, the operation of the museum would be returned to the public sector. RAI would, however, stay in existence as a shell company, but with no operational role. The Armouries and RAI would continue to receive shares in the development gain.

1.84  Although Option 6 was not the cheapest alternative, both the Armouries and the Department considered that there were other principles in addition to financial considerations when managing a museum. The Armouries therefore, at the same time as its financial appraisal, also evaluated the options against non-financial criteria, in line with Treasury guidance on options appraisal. These criteria included compliance with the Armouries' own statutory duties as well as compliance with the Department's new objectives for the project - securing the regeneration benefits arising from the redevelopment of Clarence Dock and securing the reputation of the PFI. This analysis showed that Option 6 best met these non-financial criteria (Figure 12). The museum would remain open and the positive impact of the museum on the local economy and the Clarence Dock development would continue.