Swindon museum on track to reopen in spring, says council

The new location offers around 40% more display space

A new museum site is on track to be completed in the spring, a council says.

Swindon Museum and Art Gallery closed its doors at Apsley House in 2020 and is being moved to Swindon Borough Council's offices in Euclid Street.

The council said the new location - renamed Museum and Art Swindon - will provide around 40% extra display room and more accessible space.

A spokesperson from the museum said the space "ticks every box".

The new venue will be home to the town's nationally-recognised collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as artefacts which date back to the Jurassic period.

According to the council, it will also provide staff with improved working conditions and enable more opportunities for volunteers and researchers to work at the museum.

The museum includes artefacts exploring the town's history

A learning and lunchroom will also be developed to host museum events for families and children.

"It's hugely exciting to see the new museum and gallery so close to completion," councillor Marina Strinkovsky said.

"It's been a long and difficult road to get to this position but I'd like to thank the project team for their hard work in getting all the complex building work complete and in a position where we can now begin the fit-out of this new home for brilliant collections.

"When it's open, I hope everyone gets the chance to see the new space and explore Swindon's amazing history.

"From the dinosaurs all the way up to the railways, there's something that I'm sure will interest everyone," she added.

More artefacts have been acquired in the four years that the museum has been closed

Linda Kasmaty, from the museum, said: "People need museums and galleries to visit.

"Swindonians will be thrilled and the town can be very proud of it."