Lakeland Arts is delighted to announce that they’ve secured £244,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This significant investment marks a major milestone in the organisation’s long-term vision for the Lakeland Museum and the wider Abbot Hall site. The funding will support the next phase of development, ensuring that the museum’s collections, spaces, and stories are accessible, engaging, and relevant for both local communities and visitors from further afield.

The Lakeland Museum and Abbot Hall closed in 2020 to facilitate a planned major redevelopment. Abbot Hall reopened in May 2023 with essential redecoration and refurbishment. However, due to the combined impact of the pandemic and rising costs, the full redevelopment plan could not proceed at that time, resulting in the Lakeland Museum remaining closed. Its absence continues to be strongly felt by schools, families, and visitors who value its unique heritage offer.

This new grant from the Heritage Fund will allow Lakeland Arts to shape an ambitious and sustainable future for the site. The first stage of the project will include creating a comprehensive capital plan and assessing the feasibility of developing an inspiring cultural destination for Kendal and the wider region.

The investment will support Lakeland Arts to:

• Undertake a detailed capital plan, feasibility study, and options appraisal to inform the museum’s long-term redevelopment.
• Advance strategic priorities for digital innovation, environmental sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strengthen collections care, conservation, and access through the recruitment of a part-time Collections Assistant.
• Deliver a programme of community consultation and sector learning that champions collaboration and reinforces the organisation’s role as a cultural hub.

Luis Martins, Lakeland Arts Acting CEO states: “This investment gives us the confidence and momentum to plan boldly for the future. Our communities have told us how greatly they miss the museum, and this funding enables us to work closely with them as we shape a renewed and sustainable cultural destination for Kendal and Cumbria. We are thankful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and everyone who plays the National Lottery for making this exciting progress possible.”

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re delighted to support Lakeland Arts to work towards a strong and resilient future for the Lakeland Museum and the wider Abbott Hall site, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. It is fantastic news that Lakeland Arts are now one step closer to revitalising the site and putting the communities of Kendal and Cumbria at the heart of their plans to shape the future of this much-loved heritage attraction.”

This funding represents an exciting step forward in revitalising the Lakeland Museum and Abbot Hall site. Lakeland Arts remains committed to creating a vibrant and welcoming place where art and heritage can be experienced, enjoyed, and shared by all.