Key milestone for Re-imagining the Harris project

The iconic Grade 1 listed building owned by Preston City Council, which runs the museum and art gallery housed within the building. Lancashire County Council leases 40% of the building to house the largest library in its library service.

In 2015, the city council and county council established the Re-Imagining the Harris project, with the aim of transforming the Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library. It is part of the Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, a transformational development programme led by the city council that will be delivered between 2021 and 2026.

At its next meeting on Thursday 9 June, Lancashire County Council's cabinet will be asked to approve the release of the remaining £750,000 of the £1,000,000 funding previously agreed at cabinet in 2018, with £250,000 having been paid towards the support of a bid to the National Heritage Lottery Fund in 2017. That bid was successful, securing £4,500,000 for the development phase of the project.

The £750,000 contribution from Lancashire County Council is now being requested following the successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid, with the project now ready to commence.

The aim of the Re-Imagining the Harris project is to create a sustainable and high-quality offer, with a constantly refreshed and community-led museum, art gallery and library services.

A key objective of the project is to effectively utilise the unique opportunities provided by the iconic Grade 1 listed building and civic focal point for the city, to create a vibrant, cultural and community hub for the people of Preston and Lancashire, with a diversified range of income streams.

Other elements to the redevelopment of the Harris include:

• High level repair and conservation work to the roofs, rainwater goods, stonework and basement
• Enhanced accessibility into and through the building using three historic entrances
• Provision of a new vertical circulation core with lift and staircase
• Enhanced visitor facilities including ground floor café, shop and reception and flexible events space with seasonal pop in café on the first floor
• Provision of a joined up three-year engagement programme for young people, the local community, graduates and volunteers and families

The Towns Fund award made to Preston in March 2021 included a £4.1m allocation to the Harris project. Additional funding has been secured from Garfield and Weston Trust and Foundation, Wolfson Foundation, the Museum Estates Development Fund (MEND) and Arts Council, Capital Investment Programme (CIP) during course of 2021/22.

County Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services at Lancashire County Council, said: "This is an important step forward in realising the ambitious redevelopment of the Harris.

"Over the coming years, Preston is going to be transformed, and we remain committed to ensuring the Harris remains the civic focal point for the city.

"Through collaboration, this historic building will be brought up to modern standards, while preserving and the heritage of this iconic landmark.

"This is an exciting time for The Harris, and Preston as a whole, and I look forward to see these ambitious plans come to fruition."