LOCAL HISTORY was on the move as Saddleworth Museum was emptied in preparation for its £1.25 million makeover.
The ‘Into the Future’ project to redevelop the Uppermill tourist attraction will see the site undergo its biggest facelift since 1979 thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund.
The museum is now closed to visitors for nine months – expected to reopen in early spring 2016 – while the extensive construction work is carried out.
A front extension will take the building back to its original position on the edge of the High Street, with plans for a further side extension plus interior re-designing.
A new entrance will make the museum fully accessible, the exhibition galleries will be redisplayed, and there will be new toilets, a new shop and tourist information service.
Groups regularly using the premises have found temporary homes while building work takes place and the popular monthly Farmers’ Market is now setting out its stalls in Uppermill Square on the second Sunday of every month from 9am to 2pm.
During the closure museum curator Peter Fox, ten part-time staff and around 50 volunteers will still be raising funds for the Museum.
And the museum shop, which sells books, DVDs, maps, gifts and souvenirs, as well as the visitor information facility will continue to operate during the refurbishment.
For more information contact curator Peter Fox on 01457 874093.
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