Latest news with #DepartmentForCulture
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Hartlepool Art Gallery clocktower to reopen after seven years
A clock tower offering panoramic views of a town will be reopening after seven years. Proposals submitted to Hartlepool Development Corporation earlier this year to carry out repairs and improvements at Hartlepool Art Gallery in Church Square have now been work will allow the 120ft-high (36.6m) clock tower at the venue to open for the first time since February, Hartlepool Borough Council was awarded £302,383 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Museum Estate and Development (MEND) Fund to carry out the repairs. A listed building consent application was subsequently filed by council chiefs seeking to secure permission to carry out the work.A report from development corporation planning officers confirmed the proposals had been approved, adding they would "improve the condition of the listed building and maximise its long term-use as a visitor attraction". Work will include internal stonework repairs to the full tower, repairs to the south-east spiral staircase, repairs and adjustments to existing doors, audio loop improvements and remedial works to the viewing measures include improvements to the lower roof, guarding and handrails, additional protections to the bell mechanism for health and safety, metalwork repairs and fire alarm upgrades, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.A planning statement in support of the proposals noted the project would "preserve the existing fabric and improve maintenance of the historic structure".Built in 1854, the Grade II* listed building was formerly the Christ Church before its conversion to its present use during the clock tower has been closed since 2018 due to the cost of repairs being beyond the council's maintenance budget. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Royal Armouries in £11m deal for Leeds waterfront site
The Royal Armouries museum in Leeds has bought the land it stands on for £11.69m and has unveiled plans to develop the city centre waterfront purchase of the freehold, funded by a government loan via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, includes ownership of surrounding buildings at Leeds of the museum, which will mark its 30th anniversary next year, said the move would allow it to develop the dock area to include multi-use riverside arts, events and conference General Nat Edwards said the land deal "puts the organisation in a better position to drive future development for the benefit of Leeds". Making the announcement at the UK Real Estate, Investment & Infrastructure Forum, being held at the Armouries, Ms Edwards said it would generate almost £30m for the local economy."This £11.69m government loan for the Royal Armouries to purchase the land outright is an investment in the future," she explained."It gives the Royal Armouries full control over the museum site for the first time and puts the organisation in a better position to drive future development for the benefit of Leeds."With ownership of the land secured with a government-backed loan, the next step is to secure investment to substantially increase the capacity to grow conference, event and hotel capacity at Leeds Dock."Museums Minister Sir Chris Bryant added: "I'm delighted the Royal Armouries are moving ahead with this ambitious and exciting scheme."It will make much more long-term economic sense and enable one of our great museums, which families love, to visit to flourish long into the future." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
