Museum's reopening delayed for third time

Maryport Maritime Museum was due to reopen in its new home of Christ Church last year

A museum's relocation to its new Grade II listed home has been delayed for a third time.

The Maritime Museum in Maryport, Cumbria, was due to move to the town's Christ Church last spring, but refurbishment delays pushed the date back to last summer and then to early 2025.

Cumberland Council, which is managing the project, has confirmed it will not reopen until this summer.

The museum had operated from temporary premises in the town until September until it had to put its exhibition into storage to make space for a shop expansion.

Work on the 152-year-old church is partly-funded with a government grant, which needs to be spent by March.

The rest of the project is funded with money from the Labour-led council.

Change of contractors

The authority said while the work was ongoing, displays for the museum's collections and visual interpretation boards were being created.

Last year, the firm leading on the church's refurbishment, Aura Heritage, had its contract terminated in connection with a petition to wind-up the company.

Flimby-based Thomas Armstrong Construction Limited took over the works later in the year.

A council spokesman said work was "progressing well" both inside and outside the church, which was famously painted by the renowned artist L.S. Lowry.

The project is part of a £12m regeneration taking place across Maryport's centre, harbourside and promenade.