A £2.24 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been awarded to Poole Museum, which it said will be used to create an “outstanding cultural centre and community hub” by the Spring of 2024.

The latest funding is part of a total budget of £4.37 million for the ‘Our Museum: Rediscovering Poole’s Maritime Heritage’ project.

Further financial support has already been secured from a number of local and national charitable trusts and foundations.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said the update will enable the conservation and restoration of the at-risk Grade I Wool Hall, making the medieval building accessible to the public.

As part of the project, which is said to start early this year, three new galleries are to be developed with the local community which will showcase Poole’s maritime and pottery collections, and new visitor facilities are to be added.

Michael Spender, Head of Culture, BCP Council said a “larger, more accessible and including offering” should see a boost to its current 200,000 annual visitors.

Stuart McLeod, Director London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund added: “As well as enabling restoration work for the at-risk Grade I Listed Wool Hall, the project will connect communities to their heritage by adding personal perspectives to the collections and opening up the museum’s stories for even more people to enjoy.”

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