Alnwick's Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery set for move to bigger home so it can 'better tell story' of Northumberland town

Trustees of the Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery and Alnwick Town Council are in discussions with Northumberland County Council about the possibility of relocating the centre into the more spacious Northumberland Hall in the centre of the town.

A feasibility study will fully evaluate whether the historic hall is suitable for such a use and also look at its use for other council services in the town, say county chiefs.

The Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery is currently located in a Grade II-listed former church.

Run by volunteers, it hosts exhibitions which celebrate the history, traditions, culture and arts of north Northumberland, and also showcases the work of local national and international artists.The museum attracts around 10,000 visitors a year, but council chiefs say relocating it to a more central location could help increase visitor numbers and audiences and provide more room for additional exhibitions.Jean Humphrys, chair of the Trustees said: “We love our Museum building in Bailiffgate, and appreciate that being able to lease this building through His Grace, The Duke of Northumberland’s Trust, put us in a very privileged position which has allowed the Museum to grow and develop over the years. When the Museum started in 2002, we had no idea how successful we would become.“Our success and our wish to do more to tell the story of Alnwick and to bring new and exciting exhibitions to local people has made us realise that we need more space. It is a testing time for Trustees and, in the current climate we need to be forward looking, resilient and sustainable.”

Lynda Wearn, Mayor of Alnwick said: “The potential of having a major tourist attraction in the town centre is an extremely exciting prospect. We also however understand that current users and the residents of the town need to be consulted on the proposals once they are developed and we look forward to receiving more detail as the feasibility study progresses.”

Northumberland County Councillor and local ward councillor Gordon Castle added: “I welcome the decision to launch a feasibility study into the future use of Northumberland Hall and a possible move of the Bailiffgate Museum. The Hall has yet to become the focal point in the town that it should be and anything we can help to bring more visitors to the town and help bring the Market place to life all year round would certainly be a positive move for the town. I look forward to seeing the findings of the report.”

Councillor Jeff Watson, cabinet member for museums at the county council said: “We are working with the Trustees of the Bailiffgate Museum and the town council to investigate the possible options and uses for Northumberland Hall going forward.

"The study will explore what the best uses are for this fantastic building in the heart of Alnwick, making sure any decisions fit with the wider strategy of the council and the town.”

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