Following on from receiving funding from Arts Council England which will go towards improvements in the Great Exhibition Hall, the National Tramway Museum have announced that they have been awarded £210,610 through the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund
This latest award will support vital improvements to the museum’s reserve storage facilities within the Library and Assembly Rooms complex, strengthening the long-term care and accessibility of its nationally important collections.
The money will go towards a project which will focus on structural enhancements to key areas on the first and second floors behind the historic Georgian façade, alongside upgrades to air conditioning and dehumidification systems. These improvements will create a more stable and controlled environment for the storage of sensitive materials, particularly historic archives and film collections.
Roger Shelley, Funding Manager at the National Tramway Museum, said: “This investment marks a significant step forward in how we care for and share our collections. By strengthening the structure of these important spaces and upgrading environmental controls, we can ensure that our archival and film materials are preserved in the best possible conditions.
“Just as importantly, these improvements will allow us to make greater use of these collections, supporting access for researchers and helping us bring more of our stories to life for visitors. We are extremely grateful to the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund for their support in helping us safeguard these irreplaceable resources for future generations.”
More details have also been given on what the plans are for the upgrades in the Great Exhibition Hall thanks to the Arts Council funding. There will be a programme of essential refurbishment works focused on the roof, windows and lighting. The roof works will prevent leaks and protect the building’s structure, with improvements to the original cast iron window frames strengthening their structural integrity and reduce harmful UV light that can damage the paintwork of trams. A new lighting track will also be installed to significantly enhance the display and visibility of the trams.
Most of the works in the Great Exhibition Hall will take place in the winter closure period with a planned completion date of the end of March 2027.