Museum revamp backed by £272,000 funding

A Teesside-based museum is set to undergo a significant transformation following a six-figure funding boost aimed at modernising its galleries and visitor experience.

Kirkleatham Museum has secured £272,000 from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and the Wolfson Foundation to support a major redevelopment of its core exhibition spaces.

Led by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, the project will reimagine the museum’s permanent galleries around themes including People and Place, Industry and Innovation and Heritage and Discovery.

Plans include replacing outdated displays with more flexible, accessible and engaging designs, alongside improvements to environmental conditions to better protect collections.

A key focus will be the internationally significant Saxon Princess collection, with upgrades to its conservation, lighting and presentation to enhance its impact for visitors.

Councillor Carrie Richardson, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate and culture at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “This significant investment is fantastic news for Kirkleatham Museum and for the borough as a whole. 

“Kirkleatham is one of our most important cultural assets, telling the stories of our people, our industry, and our heritage.

“This funding will allow us to transform the museum’s galleries into modern, inclusive, and engaging spaces, while ensuring nationally important collections like the Saxon Princess are protected and presented to the highest standards. 

“It’s an exciting step forward that will help inspire future generations and strengthen Kirkleatham’s role at the heart of our community.”

Welcoming around 80,000 visitors each year, the museum plays a central role in the area’s cultural offer, but parts of the site have not seen major investment for decades.

Design work is set to begin in April 2026, with construction expected in early 2027 and the revamped galleries reopening in spring 2027.

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