 | Museums Makeover |
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Both City Council run museums in Gloucester are set for major makeovers.
The City Museum and Art Gallery in Brunswick Road and the Folk Museum in Westgate Street have received a total of £730,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Now work will start later this year on major projects that will improve the facilities in both buildings.The Folk Museum will get a new purpose built education block and improvements to a gallery.
The City Museum will get a complete revamp of its ground floor galleries while the Wheatstone Hall education room will get updated as well.
Consultation about what changes and improvements were needed at the museums have been taking place over the past two years.
The lottery bid was based on the feedback received and will enable more exciting activities and greater use of technology.
Councillor Martyn White, cabinet member for heritage and leisure, commented: “ These changes will truly enable us to celebrate the 2000 years of Gloucester’s remarkable history. It is quite some time since we have been able to make major changes to our display galleries.
“ This heritage lottery grant will provide greater access to our buildings and exhibits for many more people particularly those with disabilities. It will also enable us to provide displays of a higher standard based on what users have told us they want.
“ We are delighted to have received this funding and it will help put the city firmly on the heritage map.”
Nerys Watts, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South West Region said: “This is a well thought out project that allows the two museums to meet their full potential in providing learning opportunities for the community, and especially Gloucester children and families.
“Gloucester is a development area for the HLF and we clearly recognise how important heritage is to the City. We are keen to talk to community groups about small projects they may wish to develop to ensure the City receives its fair share of lottery money".
Work will get under way at the end of the year with both projects due to be completed by the summer of 2011. The Folk Museum will stay open throughout the work but some closures will be necessary at the City Museum.
30th June 2009
 
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