Tram museum awarded £490k to 'secure future' of hall

A museum that celebrates Britain's vintage trams has secured more than £490,000 to preserve a key part of the site for future generations.

The Arts Council England funding will be used to refurbish the Great Exhibition Hall at the National Tramway Museum in Crich, Derbyshire.

The museum said the funding will go towards weatherproofing the hall and improving the experience for visitors.

Roger Shelley, funding manager at the museum, said: "The Great Exhibition Hall is at the heart of our visitor experience, and this investment demonstrates the value of protecting what we already have – a collection of historic trams designated for their national significance."

"At the same time as vital repairs to the roof and windows, the work will benefit all visitors by enhancing lighting, making the exhibition a more attractive experience," Shelley added.

"We're incredibly grateful to Arts Council England in showing their confidence and for their support in helping us secure the future of this key building."

A total of £492,880 was awarded to the museum through Arts Council England's museum estates and development fund, which aims to ensure the preservation of landmark buildings.

The funds will be used for projects on the hall including preventing leaks in the roof, making the windows more structurally secure, and adding a new extended lighting track.

The museum, previously known as Crich Tramway Village, opened more than 60 years ago and hosts more than 80 historic trams, 20 of which are still in operation.

The Great Exhibition Hall houses some of the museum's oldest trams, one of which dates back to 1873.

The museum said it plans to keep disruption from the works to a minimum, most of which will take place during the winter, when the site is closed.

It currently aims to complete the entire project by the end of March 2027.

Liz Johnson, Midlands area director at Arts Council England, said: "Museums can inspire us, provide connection, and help us to make sense of the world around us."

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