West Park Museum in Macclesfield in line for £725,000 refurbishment
10 April 2018
West Park Museum in Macclesfield is in line for a major refurbishment to enhance the visitor and educational offer as part of a wider plan for the park and cemetery.
Cheshire East Council is exploring a plan for extensive improvements to the historic building, which houses part of the unique Brocklehurst collection of Egyptian artefacts.
The council will explore the option of grant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support an ambitious scheme that would see the Grade II listed building undergo extensive refurbishment and investment.
This would include the addition of improvements to ventilation, heating and air control systems, exterior structural work to gutterings and drainpipes and the addition of suitable education and viewing facilities, to increase the number of educational visits and visits by members of the public, plus the installation of new toilet facilities.
The council will seek to enter into an agreement with the town’s Silk Heritage Trust to house all the artefacts currently on display at West Park, while the restoration work takes place.
The council has obtained expert advice on the future sustainability of the museum in its present condition. It will engage with Historic England and other stakeholders, once plans have been developed and a business case approved.
The project could encompass a broader, strategic approach to the redevelopment of the surrounding park and cemetery to develop an enhanced visitor offer.
If the scheme is progressed, the council estimates that an investment of £750,000 would be needed, which would form the basis for its funding applications.
Councillor Don Stockton, cabinet member for environment, said: “To invest in the museum on this scale, demonstrates the council’s full commitment to the cultural and educational value of this great asset and its place in Macclesfield’s heritage.
“A strategic plan will be developed, which will look holistically at all three areas taking in the museum itself, the surrounding park and the cemetery.
“This could open up additional opportunities for use of the building that would enhance the visitor offer both for the museum and the park. It will require a significant financial commitment even if we can attract grant aid.
“The history of the museum and the artefacts and collections displayed tell a fascinating story in the life of Macclesfield and the Brocklehurst family.”
Cheshire East Council took on responsibility for the museum from the former Macclesfield Borough Council. It was gifted to the town by Marianne Brocklehurst, the daughter of Macclesfield’s first Member of Parliament.
She and a friend made frequent trips abroad, returning from Egypt with artefacts, which she then had displayed at West Park after commissioning architect Purdon Clarke to design it. But there was controversy surrounding his design and a public spat erupted between Marianne and the town council.
Today, the museum is also the home for some of the artwork of local artist and illustrator Charles Tunnicliffe, famous for his animal and bird illustrations, some of which featured in the Henry Williamson novel Tarka The Otter.
You can find out more about West Park Museum, the Brocklehurst collection and the Tunnicliffe collection on the West Park Museum website.
Photo courtesy: Sara Porter Photography