ALMOST £30,000 has been awarded to Newton Abbot Museum to support a year long project to develop plans for a state-of-the-art expansion to the museum’s store.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has granted the museum £78,952 to create the interactive space for members of the community to get more involved with behind-the-scenes museum activities.

The current museum store is not accessible to the public nor large enough to house the museum’s collection of 17,000 objects. 

An extension will enable better access and for the collection to be housed in one bespoke space. Currently some artefacts are stored in offsite rental units.

Curator, Charlotte Dixon, said: ‘We desperately need more space to look after our objects and this is an opportunity for us to work with the community to design a facility they can be involved in.

‘We intend to have regular activities in the store room itself where members of the public can come face-to-face with objects that aren’t on display in the main museum. 

‘For example, selecting objects for exhibitions, taking part in demonstrations, talks, tours and workshops, all taking place in the heart of the new store.

‘The new extension will enable us to bring artefacts into one dedicated space where we can take the best care of them to preserve them for future generations.’

Throughout the year the museum will connect with local people to find out what they think of the design and what they would like to get involved in when the store is up and running. 

At the end of the year, the museum will apply for a full National Lottery grant to build and fit-out an environmentally sustainable museum store and community space.

Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: ‘What’s in Store? will continue the positive impact of Newton Abbot Museum’s previous redevelopment project. 

‘This next phase is the final piece to create a fully accessible space where the community can come together to learn and celebrate its local heritage.’