Arts Council England is to give a £114,000 grant to Leicester’s Abbey Pumping Station museum of science and technology.
The grant will help to ensure that the museum continues to share the story of the city’s industrial heritage with future generations.
Councillor Piara Singh Clair, assistant city mayor for culture said, “This funding will allow us to look at the opportunities for the future development of this much-loved museum.
“We will be looking at good practice elsewhere – and we’ll also be considering how the pumping station can benefit from its proximity to other popular visitor attractions in the area, such as the National Space Centre and the Great Central Railway.
“We’ll also be investing in the staff and volunteers who do so much to keep the museum running, developing their skills and generally enhancing the visitor experience.
“And we’ll be investing in the site, with plans to create some hard standing that will provide a much-needed space for a marquee – something that we’ll be able to use for our steam days, as well as for wedding receptions.
“We’re extremely grateful to Arts Council England for this grant, which will help us ensure that the Abbey Pumping Station is in the best possible shape for the future.”
The £114,000 grant has been made from Art Council England’s Museums Resilience Fund.
Arts Council England area director, Peter Knott, said, “This significant investment is a real boost for museums and heritage sites across the Midlands. In the current economic climate it is really important for cultural organisations to be sustainable and resilient businesses. This funding is aimed at supporting museums to make the most of opportunities for development which will help ensure the public can continue to benefit from the wealth of historical collections.”
The Abbey Pumping Station was used to pump the city’s sewage to the treatment plant at Beaumont Leys, it now celebrates Leicester’s industrial, technological and scientific heritage.
The museum has four massive Gimson beam engines, which have been carefully restored by a team of volunteers and museum staff. They can be seen in steam at special events throughout the year.
