Museum awarded £350k

11:30am Wednesday 8th October 2008

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STAFF at the Black Country Living Museum are celebrating after being awarded a grant of almost £350,000.

The Tipton Road museum has been given the cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a new phase of the ‘Streets Ahead’ Development.

With the £347,500 staff are hoping to construct a new vehicle restoration and period display unit by January 2009 which will allow the museum to showcase its impressive collection of Black Country cars, motorcycles and commercials.

A delighted Caroline Taylor, ‘Streets Ahead’ campaign manager, said: “I’d like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for this grant award which will pay for 52 per cent of the project and will be a wonderful boost for both the Museum and tourism in the area.

“Together with other funding, this money will allow us to bring our exciting plans to fruition.

“We intend to create a new display, storage and workshop building as well as a replica car showroom.

“Bradburn and Wedge will provide essential facilities for the Museum’s vehicle collection and will ensure their long term preservation.”

Anne Jenkins, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the West Midlands said: “We are delighted to be able to offer support to the Bradburn and Wedge project.

“We look forward to the provision of a new home for these wonderful examples of our motoring heritage and the facilities for them to be enjoyed by the community into the future and beyond.”