Cabinet backs National Lottery bid for major Rugby Art Gallery and Museum redevelopment

Cabinet also gave the green light at Monday's (29 June) meeting to a £2 million council investment in the proposed redevelopment - with both decisions set to be considered next month at a meeting of full council.

Rugby Art Gallery and Museum opened its doors in 2000 and attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year through its exhibition, education, family and community programmes.

Accredited by Arts Council England, the Little Elborow Street venue has cemented its status as the borough's cultural hub, housing the Rugby Collection of contemporary art and the treasure trove of artefacts excavated from the Roman town of Tripontium.

But a recent review of the venue's condition and day-to-day operations revealed a number of issues which limit Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's plans to expand its programming and improve the visitor experience - issues echoed by visitors during a recent audience survey and series of public consultation events.

Increased visitor numbers have highlighted a need to improve accessibility throughout the venue, while the limitations of the venue's educational and community spaces have restricted school visits and workshops.

Other issues include a lack of storage space for the art gallery and museum's collections, ageing electrical and mechanical systems, and the building's energy efficiency.

The redevelopment plans have been drawn up by award-winning PRS Architects and include:

• a new entrance and frontage, complementing the council's town centre public realm masterplan
• a relocated, expanded café
• a new learning centre
• permanent museum galleries
• a permanent Rugby Collection gallery
• improvements to 'back-of-house' facilities, including expanded storage and meeting spaces
• new toilet facilities, including Changing Places toilets

If backed by full council at a meeting on Wednesday 15 July, the council plans to submit an 'expression of interest' to the National Lottery Heritage Fund within weeks.

And Cllr Maggie O'Rourke, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for partnerships, health and wellbeing, said Lottery funding held the key to realising the council's ambitious redevelopment plans.

"Preparing the bid for National Lottery funding has allowed us to reach out to our audiences and beyond to completely reimagine how the building could work, improving accessibility, sustainability and the visitor experience," Cllr O'Rourke said.

"With rising visitor numbers, we want to invest in the future of Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, giving it the opportunity to grow its audience and expand the innovative work which has gained the venue national recognition.

"The council's allocation of £2 million to the redevelopment plans underlines our commitment to the project and, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we hope to secure one of the borough's cultural jewels for future generations to explore and enjoy."

Should the expression of interest in the Lottery grant prove successful, the council intends to submit detailed development plans within six months. Should the development plans be approved by the Lottery, the council can then submit the full application for funding.

Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council's Liberal Democrat spokesperson for partnerships, health and wellbeing, said: "The redevelopment plans address one of the key issues with the current layout of the venue - accessibility.

"Improving accessibility and making better use of the internal space should make a real difference for all visitors, and give Rugby Art Gallery and Museum the facilities it needs for the future."

The council's £2 million allocation to the redevelopment plans relies on a successful bid for Lottery funding.

For more information about exhibitions and events at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, visit www.ragm.co.uk