TORFAEN Museum Trust has drawn up plans to develop the museum.
The plans feature changes to the entrance, making it easily accessible, as well as a glass extension into the courtyard of the museum.
As the Museum is a Grade II listed building, the cobblestones at the entrance will be preserved in place under the new entrance flooring.
The proposed glass entrance extension, which will be situated in the courtyard, will allow the museum to use the space for stand-alone events and room for hire, while locking off the galleries and storage areas for safe-keeping.
Plans also include a new, “light and airy” reception, shop and a memory café for the wellbeing of all visitors, staff and volunteers.
The plans were drawn up after the Trust received grant funding.
(A model of the proposed extension (circled) within the courtyard of the museum. Picture: Torfaen Museum Trust/Fine Design Conservation.)
In 2018-19, the Trust was awarded a Transformational Capital Grant from the Welsh Government.
The award included money for upgrading the museum’s heating and lighting, and also for architectural plans for the future enhancement and development of the museum to bring it up to date.
The Museum Trust is now looking to the next three years for continued fundraising, research and grant funding applications in order to bring the plans to fruition and to be ready by 2022-23.
(Architectural impression of new entrance from the existing gates. Picture: Torfaen Museum Trust/Fine Design Conservation.)
The Deputy Leader of Torfaen County Borough Council, Cllr Richard Clark has given support to the future plans of the museum stating that they will be at the heart of a new Council Regeneration Strategy for the town and park of Pontypool.
The chairman of the museum’s trustees, Ivor Davies MBE, said: “This is a strong, robust and exciting way forward for the Trust to ensure that the Torfaen Museum continues into the future and makes sure that the history and culture of our Valley is saved for future generations”
The Museum Trust which looks after the museum and the collections within it, is a registered charity made up of members who pay an annual fee to support the work of the museum.
Membership runs for 12 months from April 1.
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