11 March 2008
Museum secures £9 million funding
The People’s History Museum is pleased to announce that it has
been awarded funding of over £9 million for its multi million pound
redevelopment project.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has agreed to a stage 2 pass for
the project, providing a grant of £7.18 million, which has been
matched funded by a £2 million grant from the Northwest Regional
Development Agency (NWDA).
The funding will enable the People’s History Museum to double
the size of the museum and consolidate its current two sites into
one - a refurbished Pump House with a spectacular new
extension. This will provide much improved visitor
facilities, increased access to the museum’s collections with
superior interactives and interpretation, a larger changing
exhibition gallery, better access to the archive and textile
conservation studio, enhanced education facilities, a new shop and
riverside café.
Dr Tristram Hunt, HLF trustee and historian commented “The
People's History Museum's new galleries will uniquely present the
story of the growth of democracy in Britain, in which the city of
Manchester played such a crucial part. The trustees were pleased to
make a Stage 2 award to the One Site Project, which will not only
upgrade this important national museum but also contribute to the
democratic health of the nation”.
James Berresford, Director of Tourism at the NWDA, said
“England’s Northwest is home to some of Europe’s leading museums,
which make a vital contribution to the region’s £11 billion a year
tourism industry. The People’s History Museum is home to a
collection of national and international significance, and this
expansion project will help to boost its appeal further as a world
class visitor destination.”
John Monks, Chair of Trustees at the museum said “This is an
exciting time for the museum as work started on site in
January. We are grateful to both HLF and NWDA for their
support towards our multi million pound project.”
Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council commented “I'm
delighted that the People's History Museum have obtained a
successful Stage 2 decision from the HLF as well as match funding
from the Northwest Regional Development Agency. The whole
City Council is fully behind this internationally important
cultural project which will be a superb addition to the existing
museums and attractions in the city region.”
The museum closed to the public at the beginning of October 2007
to allow for the start of the re-development and the new People’s
History Museum is due to open in late 2009. Construction work
started on schedule in
January.
ENDS.
Notes to editors:
HLF enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more
about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic
buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and
celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our
nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy. They have supported more
than 26,000 projects, allocating over £4billion across the
UK. www.hlf.org.uk
For further information about the Heritage Lottery Fund, please
contact Dervish Mertcan on 020 7591 6102/dervishm@hlf.org.uk
For further information about the museum, please contact Karen
Moore on 0161 228 7212/
karen.moore@phm.org.uk
For further information about NWDA, please contact Sarah Moston,
Press Officer on 01925 400 552/sarah.moston@nwda.co.uk
The Labour History Archive & Study Centre is open as usual
at Princess Street.
People's History Museum, Head Office, 103 Princess Street,
Manchester M1 6DD
Tel 0161 228 7212 Fax 0161 237 5965 Web www.phm.org.uk
Registered as National Museum of Labour History, Charity no.
295260