Published July 3, 2017 at 8:23
A popular local museum is planning a major extension after receiving a Heritage Lottery Fund windfall.
The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery in Rawtenstall has been successful in an initial £100k Heritage Lottery Fund bid to develop plans to extend the museum into the barn, stables and yard next-door – which are currently used by Rossendale Council.
The Council will work with the Whitaker Organisation, which runs the Whitaker, on the project which is expected to include extra space for exhibitions and educational offers linked to history, art and culture.
A project manager will now be appointed who will oversee plans with detailed architectural designs to follow.
The £100k funding has been secured to help develop the project ahead of a larger bid to carry out the work – all made possible by National Lottery players.
Councillor Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Council, said:
The Whitaker is enjoyed by thousands of local people each year and we are delighted to work with the Whitaker Organisation on these exciting plans. When the extension is completed we hope the museum will attract even more visitors from inside and outside the borough and further reinforce Rossendale’s reputation as a cultural destination.
Carl Bell, Managing Director of the Whitaker Organisation, said:
We’ve been working towards this for a long time and it’s a great chance for us and the whole of Rossendale. We want to canvass opinion across the valley; we have a year to create the next stage of our future.