The Trustees at the Vale and Downland Museum are preparing to renovate its primary reception area, thanks to generous funds contributed by local developers. This exciting project aims to rejuvenate the space with an innovative layout, including an expansion and enhancement of the café and shop, along with relocating the reception desk to a more visitor-friendly position.
The aim of this renovation is to make the museum a more attractive destination, potentially increasing visitor numbers and fostering greater engagement within the local community. The updates will also include moving some museum sections into the newly refurbished areas, encouraging visitors to explore the museum’s rich and diverse collection further.
Lisa Gale, Manager of the Vale and Downland Museum, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “This funding is specifically targeted at enhancing the museum, which will create a ripple effect by enhancing the community. The refurbished museum will stand out as more attractive, adaptable, and engaging for each person interacting with the museum, encompassing our visitors and our very own staff members.”
Gale emphasized that while minor improvements had been made previously, this significant renovation has been in the planning stages for some time. However, as an independent museum receiving only a small fraction of its funding from the town council, the museum faces considerable costs and primarily depends on generating its own income.
The funds for this project will come from developers linked to two nearby sites: Kingsgrove and Grove Airfield developments. These contributions are made under the ‘s.106 Town and Country Planning Act 1990’, which requires developers to support local community and social infrastructure enhancements in areas impacted by their projects.
The process of securing the funding involves two stages. Initially, a portion of the funds will be used to collaborate with developers on design plans. Once finalized, the remaining funds will be applied to complete the renovations.
The release of the s.106 funding was endorsed during a recent Wantage Town Council meeting, but the final approval lies with the Vale of White Horse District Council. Gale explained that each funding installment requires approximately three months for district council approval. “We aim to complete the renovations during a quieter time of year, and we would like to have everything concluded by January 2025 at the latest. However, this timeline is not set in stone,” she added.
As a registered charity, the Vale and Downland Museum continues to offer free admission while welcoming donations from visitors. Beyond its role as a museum, the venue serves as a cornerstone of the local community with events like the ever-popular Dickensian evening, which was most recently held on December 1. These improvements are expected to enhance its role as both a cultural and social hub for Wantage and the surrounding areas.
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