End of restoration at West Berks museum in sight

All that remains are finishing touches, such as the installation of handrails, balustrades, and internal decorations and fixtures. Externally, the bin store needs to be built and damage to the carpark’s surface repaired before the museum team can take over the project from West Berkshire Council.
There is expected to be a 15-week period before the opening, while the museum’s artefacts are unpacked, arranged and displayed within the building.
The £2.26m project has run to budget, but is slightly behind schedule owing to the severe wet weather this winter, according to council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton.
However, the official opening is still set to take place in the summer.
Architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams, the firm behind the restoration, proposed the shades of green and brown used to paint some of the building’s external walls.
The executive portfolio holder for culture and leisure at West Berkshire Council, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley), said: “We are very excited. The new museum will be a fantastic facility for residents and visitors and will make two of the town’s important historic buildings fully accessible to the public for the first time.”
The museum has been closed for the refurbishment since October 2010 and, on opening, will have updated visitor facilities, a local history discovery space and a lift, as well as increased exhibition space.
The Grade I-listed Cloth Hall and the Grade II-listed corn store have also been restored.
Funding has come from local community groups and organisations, including £815,500 from West Berkshire Council, £100,000 from Greenham Common Trust, £40,000 from the Headley Trust and £1.2m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.