The Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) has announced funding, with 29 museums across the country receiving a share of almost £25 million to upgrade their buildings.
The fund is part of the Government’s long-term plan to support local economies, allowing them to grow. It will support capital projects at museums, fund important repairs, and improve the visitor experience, with funding awarded from £50,000 to £5 million to ensure local history has a home for years to come.
In the Midlands, more than £5 million has been awarded across four museums.
Newstead Abbey, the former home of the poet Lord Byron, has been awarded £1,482,882. The money will be used for urgent repairs to make the building wind- and watertight, as well as internal repairs to make the building safe.
Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “We want people across the Midlands and beyond to experience, enjoy, discover, and learn from our fantastic regional museums and galleries. Through their history and collections, they provide connections and help us to make sense of the world around us.
“We’re pleased to be supporting Newstead Abbey to make these vital repairs. The work will ensure that this iconic building, its collections, and the stories they tell can continue to inspire us and future generations for many years to come.”
Nottingham City Council’s Councillor Sam Lux, Portfolio Holder for Carbon Reduction, Leisure & Culture, said: “It is fantastic news that Nottingham City Council has successfully acquired grant funding from the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) to enable an urgent programme of roof and building repairs at Newstead Abbey.
“The Museums team will now begin the dedicated work to enable the programme of repairs to be completed between May 2025 and March 2028. This essential work will ensure that Newstead Abbey is preserved as a wonderful place for visitors to explore for years to come, continuing its longstanding heritage and cultural significance on both a local and international scale.”
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