National Science and Media Museum reopening delayed until 2025

The National Science and Media Museum is now due to reopen in 2025, but no exact date has been given

The reopening of the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford following a major refurbishment has been delayed until 2025, it has been confirmed.

The museum was temporarily closed last June for the work to take place, with it due to reopen this summer ahead of the city's year as UK City of Culture.

But "unforeseen delays" in constructing a new lift had led to the reopening being put back, a spokesperson said.

Museum director Jo Quinton-Tulloch said the change in plans was "frustrating".

However, Ms Quinton-Tulloch added that "having an additional passenger lift is a crucial part of our transformation that will enable us to welcome many more visitors in 2025 and beyond".

The museum will feature an interactive studio space for a local radio station, a spokesperson said

The problem had been caused after contractors encountered "an unexpected make-up of ground" at the base of the new lift, which "took much longer to excavate than anticipated", she said.

This was "despite extensive survey work", according to Ms Quinton-Tulloch.

It was "anticipated" that the museum would now reopen in two phases in 2025, a museum spokesperson said.

The building was expected to welcome visitors again at the start of the year, with new permanent "Sound and Vision" galleries - funded by £6m from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and Bradford Council - now due to be launched later in the year.

Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in "sound showers" in its galleries, the museum said

Ms Quinton-Tulloch said: "While the impact of this delay in the short term is frustrating, our Sound and Vision project will future-proof the museum for decades to come."

Once opened, the new galleries would "completely transform the museum's visitor offer by showcasing our incredible collections and ensuring visitors can find stories that resonate with them", she said.

The galleries would allow visitors to see the first ever photographic image, have a go at being a sound engineer, step inside the studio of a local radio station and enter a live art installation, according to the museum.

The museum was now expected to reopen in two phases over the course of 2025, according to a spokesperson

Helen Featherstone, north of England director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "The transformation of the National Science and Media Museum will ensure this national and local treasure is a star attraction for City of Culture 2025.

"It will also have a lasting and meaningful future with local people and visitors enjoying it for generations to come."

Pictureville, the main cinema at the museum, which was temporarily closed last October due to concerns over potentially dangerous Raac concrete, would remain shut until summer 2024, according to the museum spokesperson.