Preston Council announces Harris re-imagining team

Preston City Council has appointed a team of suppliers and consultants to undertake its lottery-backed revamp of the Harris Museum.

Last year, the council secured National Lottery development funding to help transform the Harris into a cultural centre for Preston housing the UK’s first blended museum, art gallery and library.

The council is now working on advanced proposals for the second round of the application. If successful, and the council obtains all the funding pitched for, work will begin the project in spring 2021.

The project partners are: Focus Consulting (Brighton, project management and business planning), Buttress Architects Ltd (Manchester, lead architects and conversation planner), Direct Access Consultancy (Nantwich, access consultant), Ralph Applebaum Associates (New York, interpretation designer), Emma Parsons Consulting (Warton, activity planning) and Ridge and Partners LLP (Manchester, quantity surveyors).

Councillor Matthew Brown, leader at Preston City Council, said: “Following the generous support from National Lottery Heritage Fund for such an important project for Preston, thanks to National Lottery players, it’s wonderful news that we can announce the project team helping us achieve our vision for The Harris.

“Now the project can start to take shape and, depending upon funding decisions, enable the jewel of Preston to realise its full potential. I cannot wait to watch the transformation in the coming years and see it become even more important to the community it serves."

The Harris is currently closed during the government's social distancing guidelines, though it is currently hosting virtual events including virtual tours.

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