£500,000 bid to update museum

Blackburn with Darwen Council has unveiled plans to integrate the two museums, create new display areas, build a cafe and provide computerised access to hidden items. The success of the scheme rests on an application for funding from the National Lottery.

Initial plans are to install a new lift to the Hart Gallery and build a children's museum dedicated to world culture. New computers will enable visitors to view digital pictures of exhibits which are hidden away in the museum's store rooms.

Other proposals included in the first phase of the scheme are improving humidity and light conditions to safeguard paintings, building a teaching area and introducing new ways of helping disabled people, school groups and researchers to get the most out of the museum. Executive member for leisure and culture Coun Kate Hollern told a cabinet meeting: "The museum has lots of beautiful old things but there is not enough room to display them."

Coun Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration, said: "The museum is under-used and the building doesn't lend itself to modern displays.

"Some people slag Blackburn off as being a non-cultured place. It surprises them to find out the town has the second best collection of medieval books in Britain, and Europe's finest collection of Japanese prints."

The refurbishment programme will depend on whether the council is successful in a bid for £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The council's cabinet last night recommended that £125,000 be set aside for match funding if the bid is successful.

The first phase of works would take place over a three-year period, with further improvements to visitor service, public access, display and storage planned to take place within six years.

A report to co uncillors states: "The intention is to integrate the two museum sites, improve visitor services and provide high quality display facilities to meet the needs of all visitors."