National Waterways Museum shutting for re-furbishment
The National Waterways Museum operated by The Waterways Trust in Gloucester Docks, is to undergo a facelift this winter to update and refresh its exhibits. Timed to complement the gathering pace of regeneration in the whole docks area, the refurbished museum is due to open to the public in May 2008. The revitalised museum will be lively, vibrant and designed to appeal to all ages but particularly families.
To enable the work to go ahead, the museum will close to visitors from November but this will not affect the popular Christmas programme of events including party cruises and trips to see Santa, all of which will go ahead as planned. Conference and meeting facilities at the museum will also be available as normal. Confirmed education visits will continue as planned and in 2008 new learning opportunities will be built around the refreshed museum.
The past five years have been challenging, particularly in the last two years with the museum suffering from restricted access and visibility during the major construction works in Gloucester Docks. Now, with the recently opened Gloucestershire College students bringing additional life to the docks and work underway for the new outlet centre and supermarket, the bright new future for the area with increasing footfall is more clearly evident.
An in-depth report by consultants commissioned jointly by British Waterways and Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company supports the view held by The Waterways Trust that a revitalised offering is crucial to securing the museum’s future.
This summer’s unprecedented floods which impacted further on all tourism in the area highlight the need for a new fresh offer to draw visitors to the city and the docks.
Roger Hanbury, Chief Executive of The Waterways Trust said: “We now have a great opportunity to refresh and update the museum so it can take its rightful place at the heart of the renewed Gloucester Docks. The new stronger offering will encourage more visitors and contribute to the overall prosperity of the area”.
Plans to revitalise the museum at this time and strengthen its offering as a major visitor attraction at the centre of the Docks, have been widely welcomed by partners in the regeneration process.
Chris Oldershaw, Chief Executive at Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company, said: “The Waterways Museum has been an integral part of Gloucester Docks for 20 years and we are delighted that the Trust is taking the opportunity to refurbish the museum at the same time that so much regeneration work is going on in the docks and elsewhere across the city. A newly refurbished museum will enhance the visitor experience in the docks and ensure that Gloucester’s maritime heritage is celebrated properly.”
Robin Evans, Chief Executive of British Waterways, said: “With all the exciting developments in and around Gloucester City, the Historic Docks and Gloucester Quays it is only right that the National Waterways Museum, with whom British Waterways has had such a close relationship over the years, prepares itself for new opportunities and visitors. I look forward to seeing for myself the revitalised museum next year.”
Staff at the museum are currently being consulted on developments and a team of design consultants is working with the museum and its partners to develop detailed plans for the refurbishment. Work will be carried out during the winter months. Regrettably, some job losses will be inevitable, but it is hoped that these can be kept to a minimum. New job opportunities will be created when the museum is re-launched in May next year.
Summing up the outline of the museum’s plans at this stage, Roger Hanbury said: “The National Waterways Museum is at the heart of Gloucester’s historic docks and is a key part of the regeneration programme. The new museum will be a lively vibrant place where visitors, families and everyone can find out how the lives of people and communities have been changed, and continue to be changed by our historic waterways. Our programme to refurbish the museum this winter will ensure we have a fresh new exciting offer available for spring 2008".
“Obviously we regret the impact on our staff and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their fantastic efforts in sustaining the museum through recent testing times. I am confident that the investment that is now going into these developments will create a sustainable future for the museum as a central feature in the regenerated docks”.
12 November 2007
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