Agenda item

The Director of Tourism Culture and Economy submits a report to provide an update on the delivery of the Museums and Galleries Strategy, focusing upon operational changes at Abbey Pumping Station and Newarke Houses Museum.

The Director of Tourism Culture and Economy submitted a report to provide an update on the delivery of the Museums and Galleries Strategy, focusing upon operational changes at Abbey Pumping Station and Newarke Houses Museum. 

The Assistant City Mayor for Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres introduced the item noting that continued investment into the museums was key. Maintenance and upkeep continued throughout the venues.  

The Head of Arts and Museums provided an overview of the report, key points to note were as follows: 

• The strategy was implemented nearly a year ago, the vision had been to develop a cost effective, accessible service. 

• Significant investment had taken place over the previous decade which included an investment of £1.9m at Newarke Houses Museum. A recent Stage 1 grant had been secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for Leicester Museum and Art Gallery. In total £29m would have been invested in the service, upon completion of the development. 

• Further Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding had recently been secured. Since 2018 National Portfolio Organisation funding of just over £400K a year has enabled a range of activities, in addition to those provided by the core budget. Further funding of £400k was confirmed for this year and a further application had been submitted for the following year. 

• Offsite activities were highlighted and engagement had increased by 12% during the year, it was expected that by the end of the 2025/26 year 110,000 people would have been reached. 

• Operational Changes at Abbey Pumping Station and Newarke Houses Museums were made from 1^st May 2025. The relocation of the Food and Craft Fair from Belgrave Hall to the Abbey Pumping Station had resulted in an 70% increase in visitor numbers. 

• Initiatives to increase engagement for children and young people included the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme at Abbey Pumping Station over the summer, with 416 participations. Children received a nutritious meal as part of the visit. 

• In total there had been nearly 16,000 visitors from 1^st May, with additional offsite activity with volunteers. 

• Newarke Houses Museum had been open for special events such as the Siege of Leicester event programme and for Heritage Open Days. School visits had also continued. 

• The museum service was on track to deliver on the vison and strategic objectives.  

In response to member discussion and questions, the following was noted: 

• The Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funding is would be used at multiple sites, including Newarke Houses Museum and Abbey Pumping Station. 

• The steam train continued to be in operation at Abbey Pumping Station, including on event days and railway days.  Families had the option to visit the free museums. A proposal to open Newarke Houses Museum at Easter would be considered. 

• The team had designed a portable cabinet of curiosities to engage with the wider community. A calendar of events would be distributed to the commission.  

• Regular surveys were conducted to capture the amount of new engagement from taking the service out into the community. 

• Newarke Houses Museum was free, and was therefore not a ticketed site. 

AGREED: 

1)    That the report be noted. 

2)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account by the lead officers.

3)    For consideration of Easter Holiday weekend opening at Newark Houses Museum. 

4)    The calendar of events would be shared.