The Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington has made a series of digital upgrades as part of a project funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) to improve its accessibility and enhance its visitor experience.
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) granted over £10,000 of REPF funds, matched with over £6,000 from the museum, towards the digital access improvements, which include a brand-new website, improved Wi-Fi, and virtual tours to enhance the visitor experience.
The improvements follow an accessibility audit by Access & Inclusion UK, where the museum explored additional ways to help improve its inclusivity for all visitors.
Museum volunteers have created new website content, including access guides to help visitors plan their visit, making the website and museum easier to navigate. Virtual tours will also be introduced to provide viewers with an immersive experience, benefiting visitors with mobility limitations who may have difficulties accessing the steep stairs to the upstairs rooms.
Visitors can explore the new website at www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk.
On Saturday, 14 December, the museum is hosting ‘A Victorian Christmas’ from midday to 6 pm, with carols in the mill yard, chestnuts roasting, and costumed guides.
The museum is also hosting Ruddington’s first pop-up cinema club for a festive showing of Gremlins on Wednesday, 18 December, from 7 pm to 9.30 pm. For more information about the event, delivered by the Ruddington Village Community Partnership, and to book, visit Eventbrite here.
RBC’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Growth, Cllr Abby Brennan, said: “Through our REPF funding, we’re pleased to support this project, which will help to increase footfall to the historic site and enable visitors to enjoy ‘virtual visits’ to parts of the museum.
“The digital upgrades to the website will help to improve the user’s online experience, and with upgraded Wi-Fi, visitors can enjoy the new virtual tours to parts of the museum that are less physically accessible, such as the upstairs rooms with steep stairs.
“Earlier this year, we also supported the museum through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to help improve their outdoor space and accessibility with a new patio, an accessible path for wheelchair users, and a gazebo, which local groups and businesses can hire.
“It’s fantastic to see all the great work they are doing to become even more inclusive and welcome a wider audience.”
• Ruddington museum awarded almost £250,000 in grant funding to secure future
Framework Knitters Museum Chair of Trustees, Ian Rowson, added: “Our aspiration is to significantly improve the accessibility of the museum, and with support from RBC and REPF, we can offer a safer, more accessible, and more rounded visitor attraction.
“We’re delighted with our digital upgrades and can’t wait to introduce our new virtual tours, where you can discover how the framework knitters lived and worked in Victorian times.
“Thank you to our volunteers, who play a key role in running our award-winning museum, which showcases a unique surviving example of a 19th-century framework knitters’ yard.
