Setbacks push museum reopening back to 2026

Ipswich Museum had expected to reopen this summer

The reopening of a museum has been pushed back to next year after a multi-million pound renovation ran into unexpected issues.

Ipswich Museum has been closed since 2022 for a remodelling which will include an additional gallery, new educational space, a new cafe, and an improved shop and toilets.

The project incurred £2.7m in extra costs, and, separately, rotten roof battens have been among discoveries in the Victorian building that have delayed the scheduled work.

"When you do such major works to an old building you are going to find things that you didn't expect, so we are determined to do it properly," said Carole Jones, the Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for planning and museums.

Carole Jones said she was "hopeful" for a reopening in Spring 2026

Inflation and supply chain disruption have contributed to the £2.7m overspend, the council said last week.

It was considering scaling back the project, but Ms Jones said the cost increase was given the "unanimous" support of councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday, with work continuing to the original plans.

The renovation had gone beyond its original estimate of £8.7m but was still within its budget of £11.8m, including £5.6m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

'Complex and significant'

Asked why the reopening was being set back, Ms Jones said: "It's simply that its such a precious building and such a wonderful collection, and this is a once-in-a-generation refurbishment, we want it done properly.

"Undertaking these construction works to a Grade II* listed building comes with an expectation that, in such a complex and significant project, some elements will take longer and require more work than envisaged.

"You'll see scaffolding covering the museum and a false roof - the builders have taken the roof off inside and removed the tiles for the first time since it was built and discovered things like some of the battens were rotten."

The council had hoped for a reopening in summer 2025 and had previously said it was unable to predict an exact date.

"I am hoping for Spring 2026," added Ms Jones.

"If there is something else they will have to see to that - but I am hopeful."