24-04-2025
First look at hugely popular Northern attraction that's reopening after six-year closure and £40m revamp
A FIRST look at a popular Northern attraction's £40million refurbishment has been revealed.
The
Science
and Industry Museum in Manchester is currently undergoing restoration works to reimagine and improve the attraction's
Power
Hall experience.
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£40million revamp works are underway at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester
Credit: Science Museum Manchester
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The refurbished hall will include new spaces and exhibitions
Credit: Science Museum Manchester
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It will also feature three different themes
Credit: Science Museum Manchester
The attraction welcomes more than 700,000 tourists a year.
The Power Hall was closed in 2019 for urgent repairs and is expected to reopen this summer with new experiences and previous, loved exhibits.
A sensory experience will be created in the space, with sounds, smell and sights of Manchester's past and present industry, including a gallery full of engines and rail vehicles.
The hall will feature three main themes - 'Making More', 'Powering Lives' and 'Connecting Places'.
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Making More will focus on how engines helped people to make more and make it faster.
It will feature steam engines that factory and mill owners installed to boost productivity and ultimately, profit from the 1800s onwards.
Powering Lives will them look at how engines power the electricity network we plug into and explore how today's scientists and engineers are developing greener ways to power our lives.
Finally, Connecting Places will take a closer look at how people used trains to connect people around the world.
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Kate Chatfield, interpretation and content manager at the Science and Industry Museum, said: "Power Hall: The
Law
Family Gallery will be a must-see Manchester experience.
"[It] showcases a unique collection of historic 19th and early 20th century working engines to tell the story of Manchester as an epicentre for the engine-driven ideas and industry that shaped the world as we know it today."
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Work to reimagine the Power Hall is part of a £40million regeneration project at the museum.
Overall, the project aims to conserves the museum's
Urgent restoration works have included roof repairs, new windows and doors and wider building conservation.
The New Warehouse, the 1830 Viaduct and Gantry are expected to be completed by this summer and further repair works will be completed by 2030.
A new 725-square-metre gallery space has also recently opened at the museum, hosting
Over the next decade, there will also be a Wonderlab, science playground, a STEM learning hub, outdoor spaces and more through-routes connecting different ares of the museum.
There is also a
Plus, the new £437million UK attraction set to reopen in 2026 following four-year renovation.
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The Power Hall is set to open this summer
Credit: Science Museum Manchester
