‘Plan B’ needed as GCR lottery cash withdrawn
THE managing director of the Great Central Railway has ruled out any plans to move a planned new museum to Loughborough after the ambitious scheme had lottery funding withdrawn.
Michael Gough, managing director of the GCR, has been left feeling “angry” and “betrayed” after a £9.5m grant for the railway museum at Birstall was withdrawn.
However, he said that this was not the “end of the line” for the £18m heritage museum project and that the GCR was going to try and find alternative funds for the project.
In 2015 the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) board earmarked more than £9.5m for the Main Line project, but on December 12 last year, the same board of trustees rejected the phase two part of the application owing to concerns about the stage of the development of the project, and perceived delivery risks.
Mr Gough told the Echo: “I felt angry and betrayed when I first heard the news, and was flabbergasted when I found out that they weren’t going to give us the money.”
THE managing director of the Great Central Railway has ruled out any plans to move a planned new museum to Loughborough after the ambitious scheme had lottery funding withdrawn.
Michael Gough, managing director of the GCR, has been left feeling “angry” and “betrayed” after a £9.5m grant for the railway museum at Birstall was withdrawn.
However, he said that this was not the “end of the line” for the museum and that the GCR is going to try and find alternative funds for the project.
In 2015 the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) board earmarked more than £9.5m for the Main Line project, but on December 12 last year, the same board of trustees rejected the phase two part of the application owing to concerns about the stage of the development of the project, and perceived delivery risks.
Mr Gough told the Echo: “I felt angry and betrayed when I first heard the news, and was flabbergasted when I found out that they weren’t going to give us the money.
“We spent a lot of time sending extremely detailed applications and I feel that they have let a lot of people down.
“We sent them a business plan for the museum and the railway, and I feel that after hearing the reasons they gave us for rejection that there was something else going on behind the scenes, and that there are other reasons that they aren’t telling us about.
“I feel for the volunteers who run the GCR and a lot of people were very excited about the new museum, but this isn’t the end of the line for the project.
“We will be seeking alternative ways to fund the museum, and in January we will be getting together to discuss a plan B.”
Speaking about the potential of moving the museum to Loughborough to secure further funding, he said: “The museum was pretty much committed to the Birstall site rather than a Loughborough option due to the huge commitment of match funding from Leicester City Council.
“The city mayor has pledged not only such a large amount of match funding but also committed the city council to being the lead partner on the project, any movement outside of the city would be impossible.”
Jonathan Platt, head of HLF East Midlands, said: “HLF has worked closely with the GCR and partners over the last two and half years in the development phase of this large and complex project. During this time the project has experienced a number of difficulties and delays.
“The HLF Board recognised that Leicester City Council and other partners were now proposing to take over the project and to provide support, both financial and other expertise.
“However, the board had ongoing concerns about outstanding risks including continuing extended timescales, future operational costs and management arrangements, and the potential for costs to increase further.
So, it is with regret that HLF Board has decided to withdraw from this project.
“We realise that this will be disappointing news for all partners, but we have a responsibility for distributing money raised by National Lottery players and the projects we invest in must be able to demonstrate that they offer best value for money and have the ability to survive in the long term.”