News / Bristol Museum
£3.5m funding for urgent repairs to museum
Bristol Museum has received funding of more than £3.5m for vital repairs.
£3,567,713 from Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport will fund urgent roof and exterior works.
Also as part of the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund, a sum of almost £280,000 will go to Henleaze Library to create a small rear extension to house an accessible toilet and storage space and a front extension to replace the current conservatory, extending it to create new meeting space.
The two spaces in Bristol are among 130 cultural venues, museums and libraries receiving a share of almost £130m “to protect them for present and future generations”.
Bristol Museum has received one of the largest funding awards, with other big winners including Southbank Centre in London (£10m), the Theatre Royal in Plymouth (£8.4m) and the Royal Ballet & Opera (£5m).
Henleaze Library is one of Bristol’s most well-used libraries – photo: Martin Booth
Stephen Williams, chair of the public health & communities policy committee, said the new funding for Henleaze is “very welcome and will have a significant impact on the library as a community space”.
Williams said: “It will ensure the space can continue to be somewhere that people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, learn new skills, meet and enjoy time in shared public spaces.
“The investment will help us achieve our ambition to ensure our community spaces are fit for purpose, accessible and deliver the maximum possible benefit for their local neighbourhoods.”
A scene from The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists is currently on display at Bristol Museum to mark Aardman’s 50th birthday – photo: Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council deputy leader, Heather Mack, added: “This funding is a very welcome investment in one of our city’s most loved cultural spaces.
“It will allow essential repairs to take place, helping to protect the museum, its collections and the historic fabric of the building for the long term.
“Securing this support means we can focus on making sure the building remains safe, resilient and fit for the future, while continuing to provide a high‑quality cultural and educational experience.”
Lion dancing at Bristol Museum celebrates Chinese new year – photo: Bristol City Council
Main photo: Martin Booth
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