New county museum and art gallery for Herefordshire approved!
After many years of campaigning plans for substantial redevelopment of the Herefordshire Museum and Art Gallery in Broad Street have been given the go ahead. Detailed work is now underway with final sign off expected in summer 2022.
The Victorian façade on Broad Street will be maintained along with some interior spaces including the Woolhope Room. Gallery space will be substantially increased delivering a more extensive permanent display as well as temporary shows. There will also be a shop, café and spaces for education and events and perhaps even a rooftop garden! All areas of the new building will be fully accessible and high standards of ‘EnerPHit’ design will improve the physical environment and reduce running costs.
The cost of the project is expected to be around £15millon the majority of which will come from external funders including the Stronger Towns fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Herefordshire Council are the lead organisation for the redevelopment of the Museum and Art Gallery. The library will be relocated to the Maylord Orchard site.
The project will mean the current building will be closed for up to two years with re-opening planned for 2025. You can read more on Herefordshire Council’s website.