National Motor Museum launches £15m transformation project

THE first phase in a £15m transformation project at Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum is set to get under way following a £200,000 government grant.

Work is now set to begin in 2023 to transform the museum entrance and initial exhibition areas to create a more engaging start to visits.

Museum chief executive Jon Murden said: “This is exciting news and I am glad that we are on our way to a bright new future for the National Motor Museum.

“This major grant will enable us to start the first phase of our planned works next year. It is the first step on a long road, with bold plans to raise £15m-20m over the next seven years to fully realise our ambitions.

“We must improve our museum spaces, equipment and interpretation for younger visitors, as well as upgrade facilities for the conservation and restoration of our 285 display vehicles.”

“The world of motoring is rapidly changing and we must keep pace to tell its story.”

As part of the project, the museum plans to open up its internationally-acclaimed stored collections of more than 1.9-million items of automobilia.

Phase one of the project will transform the entrance gallery into a new welcome area, where visitors can learn about the museum’s foundation.

Two further galleries will be combined into a large exhibition space to tell the story of motoring from its beginnings to its present and future, as well as its impact on society.

Themed galleries will remain on the lower and raised mezzanine floors.

To make the museum more accessible, heavy entrance glass doors will be replaced with user-friendly, power-assisted alternatives.

The Motoring into the Future project has been kickstarted with a £200,000 grant from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and The Wolfson Foundation through its galleries improvement fund.

The attraction will match this award with its own contributions towards the work.

As phase one of a four-phase scheme, the ambitious new plans set out the future of the National Motor Museum which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

Information on supporting the fundraising project is available by contacting Michelle Kirwan on michelle.kirwan@beaulieu.co.uk

Further project information is available at www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk