Heritage Lottery Fund Success for Museum Means Hidden Gem will be Jewel in the Crown of the County

Ceredigion Museum is celebrating its success in securing £916,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the New Approaches project, which will see the creation of a new street level shop combined with the Tourist Information Centre, café, re-equipping the Coliseum auditorium and a range of community focused activities. The £1.3 million project has already received £154,000 support from CADW, the Friends of Ceredigion Museum, the Community Grant Scheme and the Garfield Weston, Wolfson and HB Allen trusts and foundations.

Ellen ap Gwynn, Leader of the Council, said

“This is fantastic news for the museum, Aberystwyth and the County. We have a much loved museum with fantastic collections in a unique setting, which attracts visitors to Aberystwyth and works closely with the community. But the museum struggles with poor visibility and access, it really is a hidden gem. New Approaches will give it a new lease of life and help the museum support itself financially, which is crucial at this time of austerity. Combining resources with the TIC means both services will be more sustainable and the new facility will be a jewel in the crown for the County.”

Carrie Canham, Curator, said

“This Heritage Lottery funding is the culmination of three years’ hard work and we’re delighted. The Friends of Ceredigion Museum have been a tremendous support, as have the WCVA and other supporters in the community. New Approaches will provide more opportunities for people to enjoy the museum and get involved with the exciting activities we’re planning. We’re not quite there with the funding yet, we’ve still got £45,000 to raise, but now that the Heritage Lottery Fund has come on board, it will encourage other funders to support the project too. Also, the Friends of Ceredigion Museum will be organising fundraising activities such as auctions and raffles to help fill the gap.”

Richard Bellamy, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, added,

“This project is a great example of a museum working closely with its local community to expand and offer even more to its visitors, helping bring history to life. “Our investment of almost £1 million, raised completely by National Lottery players, will ensure that the museum’s new auditorium and the other community focused activities being held will be enjoyed by both local residents as well as tourists from further afield.”

The project aims to create a new street level entrance for the museum, a state of the art Tourist Information Centre, an improved shop with a wider range of products from local suppliers and a café franchise for a local business offering locally produced food.