Bath’s Fashion Museum to relocate despite missing out on Levelling Up funding

Bath’s Fashion Museum will continue with its planned relocation despite missing out on £20m towards the £37m project from the government’s Levelling Up fund.

As announced in October, the council-run Fashion Museum plans to move to the Old Post Office, a historic landmark in the centre of Bath.

The Bath and North East Somerset Council will now seek alternative funding for the project, with the new museum scheduled to open in 2027 or 2028.

“Whilst this is disappointing news from the government, the process of working up the Levelling Up fund bid has demonstrated the benefits of this project to our local economy and to our communities,” said council leader Kevin Guy.

“We are convinced that it will deliver a hugely positive impact on the local visitor economy and increase cultural participation and skills-based opportunities amongst some of our most deprived communities.”

Fashion Museum to seek new funding

Additionally, the Fashion Museum is teaming up with Bath Spa University to create another new location in Locksbrook for its collection. This will be accessible to the public through special events and study sessions.

“In our Roman Baths, we have one of the most successful heritage attractions in the world,” added Guy.

“I’m wholly confident that we will be able to use our expertise to deliver the new Fashion Museum, which will be one of the most significant pieces of cultural infrastructure in the country over the next few years.”

The museum’s relocation is part of the council’s plans to transform Bath’s Milsom Quarter into a fashion destination.

Elsewhere, the Eden Project was awarded £50 million from the government’s Levelling Up fund to build its new eco-tourism development in Morecambe, Lancashire.

The £50m funding will cover half of the £100m needed to build the coastal-themed attraction, previously known as Eden Project North and now called Eden Project Morecambe.

Images: Fashion Museum

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