Leicester's Jewry Wall Museum Set to Reopen After Multi-Year Revamp

Strategic Insights -

The long-awaited grand reopening of Leicester's Jewry Wall Museum is just weeks away, with tickets now available for purchase. The museum, a 1960s listed building, has been under renovation since 2017 after the former Vaughan College pulled out of the site. The revamp, initially estimated to cost £7 million, ballooned to over £11 million due to unforeseen work requirements and Covid-19-related delays. The museum is expected to feature a wide range of Roman artifacts, including mosaics, coins, and bathing equipment, as well as an immersive film and interactive exhibits. Visitors will be able to explore the site, gaze out at the Jewry Wall, and enjoy a café with a view.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Jewry Wall Museum has been under renovation since 2017 after the former Vaughan College pulled out of the site.
  • The estimated cost of the revamp increased from £7 million to over £11 million due to unforeseen work requirements and Covid-19-related delays.
  • The museum will feature a wide range of Roman artifacts, including mosaics, coins, and bathing equipment, as well as an immersive film and interactive exhibits.
  • An eight-minute immersive film will take viewers on a tour of the Roman sites in Leicester, including the bath house, forum, basilica, and market.
  • The museum will have a series of rotundas showing different aspects of Roman life, including civic, public, and home life.
  • Children will be able to enjoy games and activities, such as making their own mosaic and playing with a model of the bathhouse.
  • The museum team expects its collections will be frequently updated, with a temporary display case included on the lower level to showcase new finds.
  • Tickets are now on sale, allowing unlimited visits for 12 months, with a joint ticket option featuring access to both the Jewry Wall Museum and the King Richard III Visitor Centre.

Statistics:

  • The museum's renovation has taken over four years to complete, from 2017 to 2021.
  • The estimated cost of the revamp increased by over 60% from £7 million to over £11 million.
  • The museum will feature over 10,000 square feet of exhibition space, including the rotundas and temporary display cases.
  • Visitors will be able to explore the site, gazing out at the Jewry Wall and viewing the Roman artifacts on display.
  • Ticket prices for adults start at £12.50, with concessions available for £11.50 and children's tickets available for £6.25.
  • The combined attraction ticket for the Jewry Wall Museum and the King Richard III Visitor Centre costs from £23.

Sources:

  • LeicestershireLive
  • Leicester City Council
  • Jewry Wall Museum website