Council works to secure funding for Museum of Brewing project
East Staffordshire Borough Council have met with representatives from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to confirm the next steps for the Museum of Brewing project.
It follows the confirmation in December that NLHF had not granted funding for the project.
The largest area of concern from the NLHF was around financial and operational risk, noting the £10m grant funding ask.
They specifically queried how the project would be delivered if costs escalate or additional match funding cannot be secured.
As part of mitigating this, the Council has discussed an option to pursue funding in a phased approach.
This approach could involve separating the overall project into separate components and phases, such as a brewing heritage hub (for the Archives); the brewing experience (the larger Bass House attraction); and the water tower fit out. This approach could also encourage wider engagement with the private sector, focusing on the delivery of distinct components as part of the overall project.
Over the coming weeks, the Council will work with the National Brewery Heritage Trust (NBHT), the NHLF and other partners to understand how this phased approach could work in practice in order to secure future funding.
Cllr Louise Walker, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “It was really encouraging to learn that the funding application went forward with a recommendation for approval, following technical assessment.
“It was not progressed by the NLHF National Board due to concerns around project risk, this his means that there was strong support for the principle of the project.
“Providing we can work on addressing those risks through a phased application process, we should be in a strong position for future applications.”
In the meantime, the Council will be moving forward with its commitment to safeguard the existing archive, which are currently managed by the NBHT.
The archive will be relocated to the Crossley House units in the Market Place as part of the wider cultural regeneration of that area and to provide greater security to their storage for the time being.
Dr Harry White, Chair of the NBHT, said: “Since New Year there has been much discussion behind the scenes about how best to progress this important project.
“We are working closely with East Staffordshire Borough Council to address the NLHF feedback and we strongly support a phased approach.
“Our goal remains to celebrate the impact that the brewing and pub industry has had on the town and this country, and ensure that future generations are able to understand and enjoy our brewery heritage.”
The Council will also be supporting the NBHT in pursuing a smaller funding bid to help with the future curation and integration of the collection.
