New plans for The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery have been unveiled.
Proposals by Stoke-on-Trent City Council featured in a new prospectus include an extension to the building and the gallery space. Work will also be done to reinterpret collections and infrastructure improvements to enhance visitor experience.
The project aims to make the museum the centrepiece of the Cultural Quarter in Hanley, attracting more visitors to the city.
It follows on from the recent redevelopment of the Spitfire Gallery at the museum. Work to relocate the city’s archive service to the site has also begun.
As well as investment from the council, it is hoped the museum will benefit from funding from other bodies and private investors. Some funding bids have been submitted already and discussions are taking place with investors. A public engagement exercise will take place next year.
Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, the city council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure, and public health, said:
“The proposals in our prospectus have the potential to transform Stoke-on-Trent into one of the country’s most exciting cultural destinations.
“This has been unveiled to potential investors and will be used as the template for potential funding bids going forward.
“We have already invested significantly, in the redevelopment of the Spitfire Gallery and the co-location of the city’s archive service. The unique artifacts housed at the museum play a crucial role in our city’s heritage and we want to ensure they are accessible to everyone in a modern museum setting.”
The council is working with a team of partners on the project including Stoke Creates and Staffordshire and Keele universities.
