Press Release – For Immediate Release
July 2014
Exciting new development at The Fusilier Museum is on track to open later this year
The Fusilier Museum’s £1.4 million project to re-develop the top floor of the museum is well and
truly underway and on schedule for completion later this year.
The project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is being completed by building contractors
William Anelay, who are based in York. The re-development will include the relocation of The Fusilier
Archive, a new state-of-the-art conference and events space – The Minden Suite and the opening of
The Quartermaster’s Store – a new exhibition space to display the museum’s growing collection.
There will also be improved storage for the collection, new learning facilities for schools as well as
new workshops and collection- based activities for schools.
The Fusilier Museum has a long-standing relationship with William Anelays as the company
completed the initial build when the museum opened in 2009. Founded in 1747, William Anelay
Limited is one of the UK's longest established construction companies. The company specialises in
the conservation and restoration of listed and historic buildings and the construction of bespoke
new build residential and non-residential properties. Anelay’s were chosen as the main contractor
for the project following a thorough tender process which was led by architects OMI.
Once the build is completed in autumn this year, there will be a programme of launch events taking
place with the opening of The Quartermaster’s Store scheduled for just before October Half Term.
Helen Smith, General Manager at The Fusilier Museum, said: “We are so pleased with the progress
of the build so far. William Anelays have been able to work through a variety of complex scenarios
which has enabled us to stay on schedule for our opening later in the year. We are all incredibly
excited to see the finished product, and we’re all feeling positive about what the future holds for the
museum.”
Tim Donlon, Contract Manager at William Anelay, said: “William Anelay’s are pleased to be working
on the second phase of works at the Fusilier Museum. Our biggest challenge is the integration of the
original chimney to form a new passenger lift to open up the upper floor for educational and
resource purposes. This has been an enormous task requiring a great deal of planning and logistics
to remove and support the remaining masonry of this historic structure in the middle of Bury.”
In addition to the top floor project the museum is currently working on a major new exhibition to
commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli landings in April 2015 which the Lancashire Fusiliers
won “Six VC’s before breakfast”. The ground breaking exhibition hopes to include all six Victoria
Crosses and it will be the first time ever in 100 years that the VC’s have been on display in one place.
ENDS
For further information please contact Gini Wilde – gini.wilde@fusiliermuseum.com or
07967019099