The museum, to be housed in the Winter Gardens, aims to bring together the heritage, artefacts, stories and memories, which together tell the story of one of Britain’s most popular seaside resorts. The project will continue the successful redevelopment of the grade II* listed Winter Gardens utilising the Pavilion Theatre and associated Horseshoe; and will be another step change in Blackpool’s regeneration.
This will not be a conventional museum, but will reflect the Winter Garden’s larger than life personality and it is proposed the museum will be a dynamic and celebratory space to capture the essence of Blackpool; a blend of museum, visitor attraction and theatre, filled with artefacts, film, music and performance.
Gavin Sorby, Managing Director of Buttress said: “The new museum promises to be a fascinating mix of heritage and exuberance, of conservation restraint and escapism.”
Buttress’s proposal imagines a dynamic and inventive celebration of the unique character and history Blackpool in the Winter Gardens, one of its iconic spaces, at the heart of Blackpool’s heritage.
Coun Simon Blackburn, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Appointing Buttress to help us re-shape the Pavilion Theatre to become the perfect home for the Blackpool Museum is another important step forward with the project.” And Belinda Betts, Project Director for Blackpool Council, said “Buttress demonstrated that they were not only very experienced in museum and heritage projects but also that they were highly creative with a clear commitment to the objectives of the project.”
The £21m project has been awarded a HLF Round One pass and Buttress will now develop proposals with the council to create a unique experience that is true to the spirit of Blackpool, the building and the Museum’s future; submitting for Round 2 later in 2015.
