Dales Countryside Museum development project

The Dales Countryside Museum is owned and managed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. We work with partners to collect, preserve and provide creative opportunities for people to understand and enjoy the heritage of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Twelve years ago we undertook a major development project which enabled us to provide new education facilities, multi-purpose display space and collection storage. We have gained the reputation of providing a high quality service and now wish to build on this success and to enhance our service to meet the expectations and needs of people today.

Over the last few years, user surveys, service reviews and research have all helped to identify the areas that need attention if we are to continue helping people to enjoy and understand the landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.

Opportunities have arisen, such as the donation of etchings made to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority by the renowned local artist Piers Browne.

Taking all of this into account, and having carried out consultation with the local community and other stakeholders in various ways, we would like to focus on re-vitalising and expanding our service and facilities.

The improvements being considered aim to:

• Enhance the welcome, visitor experience and attractiveness of the site by increasing the range of things to do, and appeal to a wider audience, including families and young people

• Encourage more people to visit Hawes

• Create a new gallery space and provide a focus for art in the Dales, highlighting ways in which artists have and continue to capture the Dales in various media

• Make the collection and the heritage of the Dales more relevant to contemporary society

• Enable people to contribute to the celebration of their heritage and increase community involvement

• Meet visitor needs by creating a tearoom and offering this as a business opportunity

• Reduce the environmental impact of the building

• Improve the accessibility of the building and displays

Feasibility studies have been produced by Turpin Smale catering consultants and by Xsite architecture who suggested some additions to the building, new signage and internal improvements.

• Download their suggestions here

The suggestions made have been fed into an economic impact assessment produced by Welcome to Yorkshire.  The resulting report highlights that “the development would add positively to the local economy, and would present a business opportunity for a local operator… [and would attract] between £0.3 and £0.7 million per annum of additional local spend” from visitors.  It also suggests that increased spend in the area resulting from additional visitors could support 13 full time equivalent jobs (net).

We are now applying for funding and have invited expressions of interest from architects who would like to work with us on the development.  This will lead to an architectural practice being appointed to work with us to develop detailed designs.

We will be arranging an update event to let you know how things are progressing, but in the meantime you can share your thoughts about the additional developments or find out more by phoning the museum on 01969 666210 or calling in to see museum staff.

You can share your thoughts about the additional developments by
Email: dcm@yorkshiredales.org.uk

You can submit your thoughts to the yourthoughts email address.

Facebook

Join the discussions at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Facebook page.