Gloucester museums to receive Lottery funding boost

News – Gloucester’s two main museums are both set to receive a major makeover, thanks to investment secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Two of Gloucester’s most important cultural highlights are set to receive a welcome boost over the next three years, thanks to £730,000 of funding secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The funds will be used to improve the facilities at Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery, as well as Gloucester Folk Museum, with work set to kick off later this year.

Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery is set to benefit from a complete revamp of its ground floor facilities – including updating the Wheatstone Hall education room – while Gloucester Folk Museum will get a new purpose-built education block.

Consultation about what improvements were needed took place over the last two years, with the lottery bid being based on feedback received, and the funding will enable more exciting activities and greater use of technology at the venues – according to organisers.

‘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,’ said Councillor Martyn White, cabinet member for heritage and leisure.

‘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.’

Planned work on both venues is due to be completed by the summer of 2011. Gloucester Folk Museum will stay open throughout the work but some closures will occur at Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery.

SoGlos.com
29 June 2009