Cafe bar part of £5m city's museum revamp

2 hours ago

Richard PriceWest Midlands

News image — A major scheme to transform the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery began in December

BBC Dark blue metal hoarding with red base and red gates is surrounding the frontage of a museum building. The museum, which can be seen above the hoarding along with the orange arm of a digger, is set against a blue sky with clouds. — A major scheme to transform the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery began in December

A museum is set to open a fully-licensed cafe bar as part of its broader £5m refurbishment project.

The new facility will be located in the foyer area of the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

It will support events hosted at the venue, and will provide a more flexible space, with the ability to operate independently when the rest of the museum is closed.

Its position next to the museum's Forum Theatre will also mean it can function as a lobby bar during performances.

Museum bosses said they would use the new cafe Staffordshire produce – including local favourites such as lobby and oatcakes.

There will also be a selection of cakes made on site and sourced locally.

As part of the changes, the current cafe adjoining the museum's Spitfire Gallery, will be turned into a dedicated exhibition and events space.

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the cafe bar would strengthen the museum's role in the city centre, and increase footfall in the area.

"This is about making the museum a place people can visit at any time of day," she said.

"The new cafe bar creates a more welcoming entrance and gives us the flexibility to host events and stay open into the evening."

Further details on opening dates, exhibitions and events are yet to be revealed, as are details on the re-opening of the Stoke-on-Trent City Archives Reading Room on the ground floor of the museum.

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