Ambitions for our Museums

From 2007 the combining of the Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service has brought about more funding and investment in both towns. But earlier this year changes in the structure of Government funding organisations led to our museums losing out on a bid for Arts Council funding. Transitional funding for one year has softened the blow but it is still a setback with jobs lost.

The next big development planned is for our High Street Museum, whereby it would become one of four heritage venues on this site, the others being the former Art School and the former Art Gallery (one on each side of the Museum) and shared use of the New Wolsey Studio in St George's Street which backs on to the museum site. The funding for these developments would come via successful bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund, bids which will now be phased over a few years. This completed scheme would be a major cultural and heritage attraction, so we sincerely hope the bids succeed.

Neil Salmon