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NORFOLK JOINT MUSEUMS COMMITTEE
20th June 2003
Item No.
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT LYNN MUSEUM, KING'S LYNN
Report by the Head of Museums & Archaeology
This report provides information about the
proposed development project for the Lynn
Museum and requests committee approval for
an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund
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BACKGROUND
The Joint Museums Committee meeting of 14th June 2002 considered a
report on an outline feasibility study for a major capital development scheme
in King's Lynn. The study related to the future partnership delivery of those
heritage and museum services currently provided by the Borough Council of
King's Lynn & West Norfolk (BCKLWN), Norfolk Museums & Archaeology
Service (NMAS) and Norfolk Record Office/Borough Archives.
A subsequent meeting of the BCKLWN Cabinet decided that as a result of
other capital funding pressures, it was unable to support the proposed
scheme at the present time. It was accepted that each of the partners
involved in the proposed development project was then able to initiate
individual development projects, within the context of shared partnership
objectives for museums and heritage in King's Lynn.
The Area Museums Committee meeting on 2nd December 2002 supported the
development of a project for the Lynn Museum. The committee received a
detailed progress report at it's meeting of 31st March 2003 and resolved their
support for the project.
The Lynn Museum occupies a grade II listed former Union Baptist Chapel
built in 1859 and converted to a museum in 1904. 2004 marks the centenary
of the museum on this site.
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KEY ISSUES CONFRONTING LYNN MUSEUM
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KEY PROJECT AIMS
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Visitor numbers have been declining steadily.
There has been no significant investment for many years and the quality
of interpretation does not do justice to the strength of the collections. By
contrast, the temporary exhibition programme has proved successful in
attracting visitors.
Access to collections and related information is limited, with significant
proportions of the best collections (e.g. fine art and costume) currently
inaccessible to visitors without prior appointment.
On-site storage conditions for collections are currently poor, with
significant proportions of natural history and social history collections
inappropriately housed in the unheated church roof space.
Space and facilities for educational and other groups is very limited,
restricting the range of sessions that can be offered.
The interior and exterior appearance of the museum is dowdy and the
museum building currently has little presence. The site lacks toilets and a
number of access issues were identified in a recent DDA audit.
There is nothing to show visitors that the museum occupies a significant
historic building. A suspended ceiling currently conceals the chapel roof.
Lynn Museum to provide a community-based resource enabling people
throughout King's Lynn & West Norfolk to effectively access and engage
with museum services and collections.
Building on the success of pilot projects, the museum to serve as a focus
for an imaginative programme of outreach work across West Norfolk,
enabling new audiences to both engage and participate with museum
services and collections.
Improved interpretation and care of both the collections and the listed
museum building.
Local people to be closely involved in informing both project planning and
delivery through a programme of public involvement and consultation.
MAIN PROJECT ELEMENTS
Key components:
 Opening up the chapel roof space and other features to make an asset of
the historic building, creating a more impressive space for visitors.
 A new collections-based exhibition telling the West Norfolk story in a lively
and accessible manner, supported by appropriate learning aids.
 A flexible temporary exhibition space capable of showing single large
travelling exhibition or 2-3 smaller exhibitions including communitygenerated displays (the latter facilitated by an Outreach Officer post).
 Improved physical and intellectual access to collections/information using
open, accessible storage and regularly changing displays of reserve
collections. The original Victorian wall-cases to provide a collections-rich
"study gallery" display.
 Improved access to collections information. Creation of a collections/local
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study area supported by appropriate ICT and learning resources.
Improved collections care through provision of appropriate storage and
environments within the building and transfer of relevant collections to
enhanced storage at Aickman's Yard.
Creation of a flexible learning space on new mezzanine floor, capable of
accommodating school groups, UEA classes and other events/activities.
Provision of fully accessible toilets for visitors and addressing of access
issues arising from DDA audit.
Review of admissions charges for West Norfolk residents, with a view to
making the core museum displays and study areas free to local people,
whilst reserving the right to charge non-local visitors and for certain
temporary exhibitions.
Creation of an Outreach Officer post focussed on enabling local
communities to effectively engage with museum services and collections.
Key aims for this post would include developing new audiences &
facilitating community involvement; promoting access to collections and
services; facilitating volunteering and training opportunities
PROPOSED KEY BUILDING WORKS
Any alterations to the grade II listed Lynn Museum building would be subject
to relevant listed building & planning consents.
Exterior/Entrance - enhancement of museum entrance to create a more open
and inviting space.
Office - provision of fully accessible visitor toilet facilities.
Temporary exhibition gallery - creation of flexible temporary exhibition spaces
around extended "Panelock" system, with new lighting.
Main gallery - removal of 1960's central cases. Installation of new exhibition
with upgraded lighting. Retention/upgrade of Victorian wall cases. Removal of
suspended ceiling and opening up of chapel roof space. Installation of
mezzanine with lift. Creation of informal "local study zone" beneath gallery.
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CONSULTATION & PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
A programme of consultation and public involvement has been undertaken.
The results of this work have informed the development of both the project
and display briefs. Consultation undertaken:
 Postal questionnaire - Lynn Museum database; BCKLWN & local NCC
elected members; local schools
 Issued questionnaire - visitors to Lynn Museum
 Focus groups - staff; Friends/regular users; local college students
 Informal focus groups - Fairstead mothers & toddlers group; young people
in rural communities (project funded by Norfolk Learning Partnership)
 Members open day (BCKLWN & local NCC members)
 Consultation display - King's Court, King's Lynn Library & Lynn Museum
 Resident's First event interviews - incl. attitudes to free admission
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FUNDING
7.1
Project costs
Initial estimates indicate total project costs in the region of £800,000. This
sum includes part 3-year funding for an Outreach Officer post. Approximately
80% of the required capital funding will be sought from the Heritage Lottery
Fund. Match funding is currently the subject of funding applications to a
range of bodies including EEDA. During the current financial year there will be
a bid to Norfolk County Council for capital funding in 2004-2005 of c.£65,000
(this bid will have to be considered and prioritised against other NCC capital
requirements). Existing partnership project funding for King's Lynn Museums
will also be utilised as match funding. Should any bids for capital funding be
unsuccessful, the project will be scaled down as appropriate and members
informed of the revised plans.
7.2
Revenue implications
Revenue costs for the operation of a refurbished Lynn Museum will be similar
to existing costs. Any increase in revenue costs arising from the project will
be met from a reallocation of existing annual BCKLWN contributions to NMAS
under the terms of renewable annual service agreements. Key revenue
implications:
 0.5 FTE outreach post @ £14,500
 Allowance for revenue growth @ £10,000 (incl heat/light, rates/insurance
& ICT costs)
 Lost income - free admission to BCKLWN residents @ £3,000
The level of service would be reviewed if there was a reduction in future
levels of BCKLWN contributions. There will be no requirement for additional
revenue funding from NMAS.
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TIMETABLE
Outline Timetable
August 2003
September 2003
March 2004
April 2004
Autumn 2004
Easter 2005
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Funding application submitted to HLF
NCC Capital Funding bid process commences
HLF/NCC funding decisions known
Outreach post commences
Lynn Museum closes for building works
Lynn Museum re-opens
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
(a)
Finance
Capital project delivery will be subject to successful external
funding applications. The limited long-term revenue
implications will be met from existing BCKLWN funding, with
no requirement for additional NMAS revenue funding.
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(b)
Property
Liaison with Borough Council (building owners) as part of
project development. Project will provide opportunity to
address DDA and other maintenance issues.
(c)
Staff
NMAS is currently employing a Development Officer (until
September 2003). Outreach post to be externally funded.
(d)
IT
Project-related ICT revenue costs to be minimised.
CONCLUSION
This development project will enable Lynn Museum to improve access to its
services and collections for the benefit of people living throughout West
Norfolk. The project will create a significant heritage resource for King's Lynn.
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RECOMMENDATION
That members agree that officers can proceed with an application to the
Heritage Lottery Fund and any other relevant funding bodies for the
development project at the Lynn Museum.
Originator:
Dr Robin Hanley
Area Museums Officer for King's Lynn & West Norfolk
Email: robin.hanley.mus@norfolk.gov.uk
Tel/fax: 01553 775001