Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, which runs the pier, announced the facelift last month, which will incorporate cultural facilities and commercial businesses. A phased closure of the Wigan Pier complex, which includes two museums and a working steam engine, would begin in April next year.
Ian Bancroft, the executive director (libraries, heritage and information) of the trust, said that the pier experience was unsustainable in its current form. He referred to falling visitor figures and an outdated display.
But he said that it would receive investment and be developed. 'We have had the unique and wonderful Wigan Pier for 20 years and we would rather build on that than lose it.'
Wigan Pier consists of the Trencherfield Mill, which is home to a working steam engine, cotton spinning machines and Robert Opie's collection, the Museum of Memories. On the opposite side of the canal, The Way We Were museum, which showcases local life in the 1900s, is one of the main attractions.
The trust's plan for the five-storey mill building is to retain the steam engine, the spinning machines and eventually to bring over the best bits of The Way We Were. The Museum of Memories will close and the collection will return to its owner in April next year, to allow for development work on the site. The Way We Were will remain open until the Trencherfield Mill site is complete in 2007.
Although many past and present staff admit to the need for updating, they are concerned about the future of The Way We Were, particularly the reconstructed Victorian school room and the education facilities. Ron Hopkinson, a volunteer, has started a petition to save the museum. He said: 'If we don't keep up our action, they are going to demolish Wigan Pier.'
Carole Tyldesley, the pier manager, admitted that staff morale was low while they were waiting to hear about the future of their jobs. Staff currently employed at the Museum of Memories will either be redeployed in the trust or the council, or made redundant. Further job cuts are being considered.
The trust's plans are for the mill to remain home to the refurbished steam engine and exhibition spaces. The other floors will have a new performance space and apartment, a retail area, offices and a hotel.
At present, the trust receives £1.3m a year from Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council. The redevelopment will cost £9.5m from EU funds and a private development company. In addition, about £40m is needed from the private sector, said Bancroft. The council's subsidy to the new Wigan Pier complex would decrease to about £600,000.
But Bancroft said: 'This is not a budget cut. It's an opportunity to undertake a major reinvestment and redevelopment and move the product on. If it carries on as it is, the danger is that it will run down.'
Jon Finch, the head of policy at Museums, Libraries and Archives, North West, concurred: 'Actually, the total investment into culture is increasing.' He continued: 'The trust has reassured us that the vast majority of the collection will be used in the new project. The trust wants to tell a wider story and we fully support that.'
Felicity Heywood
Ian Bancroft, the executive director (libraries, heritage and information) of the trust, said that the pier experience was unsustainable in its current form. He referred to falling visitor figures and an outdated display.
But he said that it would receive investment and be developed. 'We have had the unique and wonderful Wigan Pier for 20 years and we would rather build on that than lose it.'
Wigan Pier consists of the Trencherfield Mill, which is home to a working steam engine, cotton spinning machines and Robert Opie's collection, the Museum of Memories. On the opposite side of the canal, The Way We Were museum, which showcases local life in the 1900s, is one of the main attractions.
The trust's plan for the five-storey mill building is to retain the steam engine, the spinning machines and eventually to bring over the best bits of The Way We Were. The Museum of Memories will close and the collection will return to its owner in April next year, to allow for development work on the site. The Way We Were will remain open until the Trencherfield Mill site is complete in 2007.
Although many past and present staff admit to the need for updating, they are concerned about the future of The Way We Were, particularly the reconstructed Victorian school room and the education facilities. Ron Hopkinson, a volunteer, has started a petition to save the museum. He said: 'If we don't keep up our action, they are going to demolish Wigan Pier.'
Carole Tyldesley, the pier manager, admitted that staff morale was low while they were waiting to hear about the future of their jobs. Staff currently employed at the Museum of Memories will either be redeployed in the trust or the council, or made redundant. Further job cuts are being considered.
The trust's plans are for the mill to remain home to the refurbished steam engine and exhibition spaces. The other floors will have a new performance space and apartment, a retail area, offices and a hotel.
At present, the trust receives £1.3m a year from Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council. The redevelopment will cost £9.5m from EU funds and a private development company. In addition, about £40m is needed from the private sector, said Bancroft. The council's subsidy to the new Wigan Pier complex would decrease to about £600,000.
But Bancroft said: 'This is not a budget cut. It's an opportunity to undertake a major reinvestment and redevelopment and move the product on. If it carries on as it is, the danger is that it will run down.'
Jon Finch, the head of policy at Museums, Libraries and Archives, North West, concurred: 'Actually, the total investment into culture is increasing.' He continued: 'The trust has reassured us that the vast majority of the collection will be used in the new project. The trust wants to tell a wider story and we fully support that.'
Felicity Heywood
