Focus Consultants is delighted to see the Fashion Museum Bath project reach a major milestone, with Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) announcing a £7.2 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the delivery of the museum’s new home in Bath’s historic Old Post Office.

The funding will help transform the Grade II listed Old Post Office building into a world-class cultural destination, providing a permanent home for one of the UK’s most significant fashion collections and creating an accessible, sustainable museum for future generations with new digital resources, educational programmes and opportunities for skills development.

Focus is proud to have played a key role in the development of the project and continues to support through its ongoing roles in project management and quantity surveying. Focus worked with B&NES to  develop the business case and brief, including economic impact assessment, capital cost planning, environmental sustainability strategy, governance and procurement strategies, and risk management. The team also led the procurement of the project’s specialist consultant teams including the architectural design team lead by 6a and the exhibition design team led by JA Projects,  helping establish a strong foundation for successful delivery.

The project demonstrates Focus’ expertise in delivering complex heritage, cultural and regeneration projects, working with local authorities and cultural organisations to unlock funding opportunities and create sustainable visitor destinations. The museum will play a significant role in Bath’s future, supporting economic growth, strengthening the city’s cultural offer and creating opportunities for local communities, young people and future creative professionals.  The design of the new museum is taking its environmental sustainability incredibly seriously and will challenge the norms for not only listed buildings but also museums and galleries by reducing energy use and carbon footprint.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund award follows the recent granting of planning permission and Listed Building Consent for the museum and marks a significant step towards the project’s delivery.

Principal Associate, Florence Andrews shared her thoughts on the news;

“We’re delighted to see this landmark project secure National Lottery Heritage Fund support. Having worked with Bath & North East Somerset Council throughout the project’s development to this point, it’s exciting to see the vision continue to progress towards delivery. Fashion Museum Bath will become a significant cultural destination for Bath and the wider region, bringing lasting economic, social and heritage benefits while creating opportunities for future generations.”

How can we help bring your next project to life?

Focus supports museums, heritage organisations, cultural institutions and local authorities with project management, quantity surveying, business planning, funding support, procurement, sustainability consultancy and cost consultancy services. Whether you’re developing a new cultural destination, restoring a heritage asset or seeking to unlock funding opportunities, our team can help turn ambitious ideas into successful projects.

Explore our services in more detail here:  https://www.focus-consultants.com/services/

View our Heritage and Cultural Projects here: https://www.focus-consultants.com/portfolio/heritage

For more information about Focus’ work on the Fashion Museum Bath project, or to discuss an upcoming culture, heritage and regeneration project, please contact:

Florence Andrews, Principal Associate

T: 0203 096 9717 E: florence.andrews@focus-consultants.com

Photo courtesy of 6a architects