Ipswich Museum improvements, including new educational space, café and shop area, will be in place by summer 2025

Improvements to Ipswich Museum will be in place by summer 2025 following £4.3million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The plans include an additional gallery, a new educational space, a fresh café, improved shop area and toilets.

Part of an £8.7million redevelopment project, the improvements will restore and refurbish the museum to display more of the town's collections and revamp existing exhibits to make things more entertaining for visitors.

The Museum, a late Victorian Grade II listed building, will work with Ipswich communities and visitors to reinterpret the collections, gather new stories and create fresh conversations so people gain a sense of pride in the town.

A new heating system, insulation and lighting will also be added, which will improve the building's environmental performance.

Visitor flow will also be improved by raising the internal floor levels to remove the need for ramps and steps within the ground-floor galleries. A new lift will also be added.

Other funding for the £8.7m project includes £3.6m of Ipswich Borough Council funding, £40k from Friends of the Ipswich Museums, £450k which will be raised through fund raising with Trusts and other charitable foundations plus £300k of various other including volunteer time.

Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Museums, says: “We are delighted to receive this support thanks to National Lottery players.

"This redevelopment will do something really special and imaginative with our wonderful collections in a building that was specifically designed to showcase them to the public.

"We are looking forward to working with the people of Ipswich and the Heritage Fund to inspire a new generation through Ipswich Museum.”

Anne Jenkins, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says: “We are delighted to support Ipswich Museum with its ambitious project to redevelop its museum and reinterpret its collections.

"With thanks to National Lottery players, this project will enable the museum to bring their amazing collections to life in new ways and be much more engaging for local people and visitors alike.

"It will showcase Ipswich’s rich history in a way that everyone can enjoy and be proud of.”