WEYMOUTH Museum has been awarded a grant of nearly £100,000 for the next stage of its development.

Based in Brewers Quay, the site is currently undergoing works and in the meantime, the museum will host a pop-up shop in the town centre.

In total, the attraction was awarded £99,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will allow the tourist hotspot to expand the activities it offers to visitors, including workshops on local history and investigations of its collection.

The grant will also allow important conservation work to take place on Weymouth Museum’s impressive collection and to develop its work with the community, in a bid to encourage more people from the town and beyond to visit.

Marcia Headon, chair of the Museum Trust said: “We are extremely grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for awarding Weymouth Museum this bid thanks to National Lottery players.

“The funding will enable us to preserve our wonderful collection and to extend the experience of the museum to the local community, as well as visitors.

“The future of the museum now looks very bright.”

Dorset Echo:

As reported, the sale of Brewers Quay fell through in early March with works currently ongoing at the site and the future of the building currently uncertain.

While the area undergoes development, Weymouth Museum will, in the meantime, move some of its collection to a pop-up display to an outlet in St Thomas Street.

The temporary site is due to open in early May and will host a series of items focusing on telling the story of Weymouth’s past and exploring the social history of the town, as well as its role as an enduring holiday destination and a coastal town.

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, added: “Dorset has a rich and vibrant history that attracts people from all over the country, and Dorset Council is proud to support the work of everyone at Weymouth Museum.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how they rise to the challenge of continuing to engage and present their collections to the public while their permanent home is developed over the next couple of years.”

The new pop-up shop is set to be based in 40a St Thomas Street from early next month.