One of Hackney’s most popular museums is calling on people to give their views on its multi-million pound expansion plan.
The Geffrye Museum, in Kingsland Road, Haggerston, wants to extend the premises to maximise space and reduce congestion at busy times, as well as bringing artefacts out of storage for the public to enjoy.
The proposed design includes establishing a conference area and more accessible main entrance at the site of the current restaurant, situated directly opposite Hoxton station.
There are plans to create a new gallery with access to the museum’s period gardens, and reinstating the first floors to house a library and study centre.
A pavilion in the museum’s gardens will be used for educational activities and special plans.
The former Victorian pub on the corner of the site, The Marquis of Landsdowne, in Cremer Street, will be incorporated into the plans as a café and arts space.
The revised plans come after a previous application to demolish the pub as part of a proposed £18.9 million extension was slammed by campaigners and turned down by the council in 2013.
A museum spokesman said: “The proposed design by Wright & Wright Architects will generate almost 40 per cent additional space within the museum’s 18th century, Grade 1, listed almshouses, by making more effective use of areas previously unseen by the public.
“Over the past year we have been working closely with Hackney Council, English Heritage and local community partners to develop the scheme, and have been thrilled with the support we’ve received so far. We want to hear what local residents and businesses in Hackney think of our plans, so please do come along and see a display and architect’s model in the museum or visit [the website] to find out more.”
The spokesman added: “We will find out if our application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a £11m grant to support our plans has been successful in April.”
The museum hopes to raise a further £3 million to turn the plan into a reality.
To have your say, visit: geffrye-museum.org.uk/aboutus/museum-development
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