[Photo caption: L-R Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England; Robert Campbell, Managing Director, Culture and Heritage Services; Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council; Jo Mawdsley, Learning & Engagement Lead, Fashion Museum Bath; and Elisabeth Murray, Senior Curator, Fashion Museum Bath. Credit: Anna Barclay / West of England Mayoral Combined Authority]
It’s a wordy press release from the office of the West of England Mayor, but basically the combined authority is looking to further invest up to seven million pounds in the new Fashion Museum Bath.
Make yourself a cuppa, settle down and read on:
‘Reopening in the Grade II listed Old Post Office building in 2030, the museum is part of an ambitious redevelopment of Milsom Quarter in the heart of Bath and the overall economic, cultural and creative investment taking shape in the West of England. It will bring more visitors, jobs and growth across the country’s fastest-growing regional economy.
This investment from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority would deepen the partnership between the regional authority and Bath & North East Somerset Council. Both organisations are working together ahead of the launch of the new museum, and beyond, to ensure the benefits from this extraordinary asset can be felt locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Granted planning permission and listed building consent in May this year, construction will begin on the new museum in 2027. Once established, Fashion Museum Bath is projected to welcome over 250,000 visitors annually and generate at least £111 million of economic and social value for the West of England.
Fashion Museum Bath is also set to create significant new opportunities for learning and skills development, with around 7,800 people expected to participate in skills, heritage and wellbeing initiatives between 2027 and 2031, alongside new pathways into creative, heritage and technical careers through work experience, placements and apprenticeships. This work will continue once the Museum opens establishing it as a vital regional asset for economic growth, health and wellbeing and community cohesion. Sitting in the heart of improved streets and public spaces within the Milsom Quarter, surrounded by creative workspaces and retailers, it will also benefit from substantially improved active travel links.
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has previously awarded £3.25 million to the project to support feasibility work and initial delivery. A further investment of up to £7 million would be expected to generate more than £2 in economic benefits for every £1 invested, including over £25 million in additional visitor spending – boosting the everyday economy and creating more job opportunities, particularly for young people.
Built around a globally important and Designated collection of 100,000 objects spanning more than 400 years from the late 1500s to the present day and located within one of the UK’s most recognised destinations, Fashion Museum Bath has the capacity to not only become a defining cultural, educational and economic asset for the region, but also a destination of national and international significance.
The project is backed by significant investment from Bath & North East Somerset Council, alongside major grants from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Clore Duffield Foundation with further fundraising ongoing.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Alongside other iconic attractions in our UNESCO World Heritage city, like the Roman Baths and Jane Austen Centre, Fashion Museum Bath will become a top destination for visitors from near and far. Our investment would create new learning and skills opportunities for local people, bring greater economic returns for businesses in the everyday economy, and open up more job opportunities in hospitality and retail.
“Securing the museum’s long-term future and unlocking its full potential is a powerful statement of our ambition for Bath and the wider West of England.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said:
“This is an opportunity for Bath and the West of England to shape a cultural institution of genuine national significance. As the region defines its next chapter of growth, few opportunities offer the same combination of international reputation, cultural credibility and economic potential.
“The region’s future prosperity will be shaped not only by investment in infrastructure and innovation, but by its ability to build on the distinctive assets that set it apart. Culture, creativity and place are central to our region’s story and Fashion Museum Bath will be at the forefront of what makes Bath, the West of England and the UK a special place to live, work and visit for years to come.”
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council and Deputy Mayor of the West of England; Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council; Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, and Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said in a joint statement:
“This further funding would be a fantastic boost for the West of England’s creative and visitor economy, while helping to unlock the wider transformation of Milsom Quarter as a major economic hub.
“Fashion Museum Bath is culture-led regeneration with a real economic impact – a vibrant new destination for residents and visitors which can support wider businesses in the everyday economy, creating more jobs and encouraging further investment that will help our whole region prosper.”
What about spending money on residents to improve their lives in the City. Following the disaster in London another example how Regional Mayors are ruining the Country.