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Newcastle's Historic Discovery Museum to Undergo £3m in Repairs

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Discovery Museum, a Grade II listed building in Newcastle, is set to undergo vital repairs with a £3m grant from the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND). The funding will be used to repair the roof, address external masonry and window repairs, and ensure the museum's collections are protected from potential water damage. The project, managed by North East Museums on behalf of Newcastle City Council, is expected to begin soon with the appointment of a contractor to carry out the repairs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Discovery Museum has received a £3m grant from the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) to support vital repairs to the roof, external masonry, and window repairs.
  • Newcastle City Council has contributed the remainder of the funding required for the project.
  • Durham-based architects Howarth Litchfield have been appointed as lead designers on the project, providing architectural design and cost management services.
  • The repairs will ensure the museum's collections are protected from potential water damage and will be completed with minimal disruption to the museum's operations.
  • The project team will need to design and implement a scaffold system to support the complex repairs, which will require careful planning and execution.
  • Historic archives stored in the museum will need to be protected during the window restoration works, highlighting the importance of preserving the museum's collections.
  • The museum's Great Hall, a popular event space, will be temporarily closed during the repairs, with the scaffold design determining the duration of the closure.

Statistics:

  • £3m: The amount of grant funding received from the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) to support the repairs.
  • £3m + Council funding: The total amount of funding required for the project.
  • 6 storeys: The height of the roof that needs to be repaired.
  • 100%: The museum will temporarily close the Great Hall for repairs, with the length of closure dependent on the scaffold design.

Sources:

  • "Business Reporter", BusinessLive, 2024-03-XX (no date provided) - "£3m grant secured for historic Newcastle Discovery Museum"
  • Newcastle City Council, 2024 - "Discovery Museum Repairs"

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