Grantham Museum is to undergo a £162,000 renovation programme – to include a new heating system, new kitchen facilities and redecoration.
It is hoped the project will help pave the way for relocation of the Grantham Collection, around 20,000 items of artefacts, art and local history items moved into storage when the museum changed the way it was run in 2010.
The work is being paid for through a successful bid to the Government’s Future High Street Fund, administered locally by South Kesteven District Council.
Grantham Museum will close to the public for five weeks from Monday 25th August to allow work to be carried out – reopening in October to host part of the upcoming programme of events commemorating Margaret Thatcher’s Centenary: www.guildhallartscentre.com/whats-on/thatcher-fest
Vivian Reichelt, Chair of the Museum, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see this significant investment in Grantham Museum, made possible thanks to HM Government as part of South Kesteven District Council’s Future High Street Fund programme.
“This work marks an exciting new chapter for the Museum, safeguarding our heritage while creating a more engaging and accessible space for our community and visitors.
“This investment not only supports the improvements about to begin but also strengthens our ability to plan for the future – ensuring the Museum can continue to inspire, educate, and celebrate Grantham’s rich history for generations to come.”
Deputy Leader of South Kesteven District Councillor, Cllr Paul Stokes, said: “Restoring the Grantham Collection to the town’s museum is a long-held ambition of Grantham Community Heritage Association, Lincolnshire County Council and SKDC.
“We are proud to assist this with investment through the Future High Street Fund, both to support the Museum’s long-term sustainability, along with the further development of a vibrant heritage and cultural offer in Grantham town centre.”
Work to relocate the Grantham Collection, held by Lincolnshire County Council, is a long-term project, which could take several years to fully complete, as environmental conditions will need to be monitored and conservation work undertaken on more sensitive items. Discussions between Grantham Community Heritage Association (which operates the museum) and with LCC Heritage Services about how best to return of the collection are ongoing.
It is likely that further funding will need to be raised by the Museum, while the precise inventory will be down to what can be conserved, preserved and accommodated.
Part of the renovation work includes installation of a ventilation system in the basement to create suitable conditions for storing the collection.