National Museums Liverpool's (NML) long run of attracting project funding has been halted by its failed bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The £11.4m application for the new Museum of Liverpool was rejected in the latest round of Stage One capital projects.
Carole Souter, the director of the HLF, said: 'There were positive aspects to the application, but we had some serious concerns about the overall costs and lack of detail on the displays and content within the museum.' She added that the HLF had already given £32m for NML's Into the Future project.
David Fleming, the director of NML, said discussions would ensue with the Northwest Regional Development Agency and central and local government to find the way forward. And he didn't rule out going back to the HLF. He said: 'like a great big Grand National there are a lot of fences and hurdles to get over and you might fall at one. If I were a betting man, I wouldn't bet against this museum happening.'
Joining Liverpool on the HLF losers list was the National Museum of Science and Industry's (NMSI) National Collections Centre at Wroughton. HLF rejected the £12.5m application because of concerns over the project's cost and lack of financial commitment from other sources.
Sally Pettipher, the head of development at NMSI, said there was enough support to 'ensure that the project is delivered without compromise'. The NMSI has a £48m Big Lottery Fund application pending for Wroughton. The result will be announced in July. Pettipher said the NMSI would apply to the HLF again, but at a reduced amount given the decline in HLF funds.
This has been one of HLF's smallest grant-giving rounds in recent years. With a pot of £34.4m available just £15m was allocated. Only one museum - the People's History Museum (PHM) in Manchester - won an earmarked amount of £7.18m.
The People's History Museum's project will merge its two sites. An extension to the PHM building will enable the Labour History Archive and Study Centre to move from its current position. The vacated building will then be used as stores. The extension will improve visitor facilities.
Felicity Heywood
Carole Souter, the director of the HLF, said: 'There were positive aspects to the application, but we had some serious concerns about the overall costs and lack of detail on the displays and content within the museum.' She added that the HLF had already given £32m for NML's Into the Future project.
David Fleming, the director of NML, said discussions would ensue with the Northwest Regional Development Agency and central and local government to find the way forward. And he didn't rule out going back to the HLF. He said: 'like a great big Grand National there are a lot of fences and hurdles to get over and you might fall at one. If I were a betting man, I wouldn't bet against this museum happening.'
Joining Liverpool on the HLF losers list was the National Museum of Science and Industry's (NMSI) National Collections Centre at Wroughton. HLF rejected the £12.5m application because of concerns over the project's cost and lack of financial commitment from other sources.
Sally Pettipher, the head of development at NMSI, said there was enough support to 'ensure that the project is delivered without compromise'. The NMSI has a £48m Big Lottery Fund application pending for Wroughton. The result will be announced in July. Pettipher said the NMSI would apply to the HLF again, but at a reduced amount given the decline in HLF funds.
This has been one of HLF's smallest grant-giving rounds in recent years. With a pot of £34.4m available just £15m was allocated. Only one museum - the People's History Museum (PHM) in Manchester - won an earmarked amount of £7.18m.
The People's History Museum's project will merge its two sites. An extension to the PHM building will enable the Labour History Archive and Study Centre to move from its current position. The vacated building will then be used as stores. The extension will improve visitor facilities.
Felicity Heywood
