Grant of £800k to make museum store accessible

A computer generated image showing the new extension with an accessible ramp at the museum

More than £800,000 has been awarded to a museum for a new accessible store to house thousands of its artefacts.

Newton Abbot Museum in Devon said the £818,653 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund would create a new "state-of-the-art museum store", a space which would also be used by the public for behind-the-scenes museum activities.

"The current museum store is not accessible to the public with narrow corridors, nor large enough to house the museum's collection of 17,000 plus objects," the museum said.

Museum curator, Dr Charlotte Dixon, said the museum prides itself on being "accessible and inclusive", but said "unfortunately this isn't currently reflected in the collection stores."

'Bespoke space'

The lottery funding boost comes five years after the museum relocated to a grade II listed Victorian church, formerly St Leonard's Church.

Dr Dixon said: "This grant will enable the construction of a brand new, sustainable and accessible store with space to run community activities enabling visitors to experience behind-the-scenes in the museum and to engage further with the history of the town through the objects we care for.

"It will ensure the collection is preserved now and for future generations."

The museum said an extension would allow its large collection to be housed in one bespoke space, as some artefacts are currently stored in offsite rental units.

Dr Dixon said: "Following a year of consultation with the public we have taken on board and adapted plans for the building and the range of exciting and unique activities that we will be running throughout the three year project and beyond.

"We are excited to start this project and will soon be fundraising to support the grant."

The free entry museum said it welcomed more than 15,000 visitors each year.