Council chiefs are hoping to secure around £100,000 of Lottery cash – to ensure a museum's award-winning work can keep going.

Brampton Museum in Newcastle has delivered a 'transformative' project after securing £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2020, and since then it has seen a 60 per cent increase in visitor numbers and a 117 per cent increase in income.

But this money is set to run out in March 2025, and without additional external funding there are fears that the museum's recent improvement will come to an end. Cabinet members at Newcastle Borough Council have now agreed to back the museum's bid for another £98,000 from the Heritage Fund.

This funding would allow the museum to keep its actives and events officer, and support its events and marketing programme. The museum hosts a wide range of free events, such as history talks, film shows and reminiscence sessions.

The Lottery fund will ensure Brampton Museum's award-winning work can keep going (LDRS).

Councillor Craig Skelding, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and heritage, told the cabinet that the museum had done 'fantastic work' in recent years, which he hoped would continue.

Cllr Skelding said: "The museum a track record for successfully utilising lottery funding, without which many of the projects they've done over the last couple of years wouldn't have been possible. For example, the museum played a massive part in the 850th year of the borough, bringing a great deal of focus onto Brampton Park. They've also delivered a 60 per cent increase in footfall, which equates to 90,000 visitors.

"The previous funding allowed the addition of an events manager, who we can't praise enough, they've done some fantastic work over the last year in particular. Part of the new funding would go towards securing the role of events manager, enabling us to drive the business forward and continue all the projects and events.

"This funding will be welcomed, and will enable the venue to continue its fantastic work its done for the community so far."

In addition to the increase in visitor numbers, Brampton Musuem's improvement has also been recognised by the Enjoy Staffordshire awards, in categories such as Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, Business Venue of the Year and Ethical and Sustainable Tourism.

Council leader Simon Tagg said: "The museum has come on in leaps and bounds, and if we get this funding it will allow us to go even further. The track record of the museum has been second to none over the last few years."

According to the report to cabinet, initial feedback on the proposed National Lottery bid has been 'positive'. As well as funding the events programme, the new Lottery funding would also support the creation of a new 'Friends of Brampton Museum' group, along with upgrades to the building's lighting and insulation, helping to reduce its environmental footprint.

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