Heritage Lottery Fund ‘yes’ will make great organisation grow
COULD further improvements to the Whitaker Museum be on the way?
If a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund is successful, then the answer could be yes.
Rossendale council and the trust which runs the museum in Rawtenstall are preparing a bid for funding to refurbish the barn and stables block of the building to create further exhibition space.
More cultural activities would be held as a result, a report to Rossendale council’s full council meeting has confirmed.
A new café block would also be created – in short, things which will help the museum become more sustainable into the future.
The whole project would cost £1.95m, with Rossendale council putting in around £195,000, most of which will come from Section 106 money – the cash developers pay to support local facilities when building in the area.
Understandably, many were concerned when Rossendale council felt that due to budget cuts, it could no longer afford to directly run the museum, but it is safe to say it has gone from strength to strength since The Whitaker Organisation got involved.
The exhibitions they lay on are often fascinating, and the growing number of events taking place there are making it an even more valuable asset to the community.
Hopefully, the Lottery will agree and help provide the funds to make a great organisation grow.