Help shape future of Leek’s museum and art gallery

Work to improve Leek’s Nicholson Institute is set to start this year, and you can help shape what that means for the museum and art gallery.

The building was built 140 years ago as a place of creativity, education and community and is home to the museum and art gallery, managed by the District Council, and the library which is operated by the County Council.

The Councils are now investing in improvements to the building and these public amenities as part of the programme to regenerate Leek town centre funded, in part, by the UK Government.

As the plans for the museum and art gallery are developed, the public are being asked for their thoughts on its future via: 

short online survey on the Council’s website

Councillor Bill Cawley, Cabinet member for Communities, said:

“It’s an exciting new chapter for the Nicholson Institute. This beautiful building is so important for the cultural life of Leek, the Moorlands and the wider region.

“We’re investing in improving the building, and how we use it, so that it continues to attract locals and visitors now and in the future. So it’s important that we hear from you so that your views are reflected in our plans.

“Don’t be reluctant to air your views. As Oscar Wilde who visited the Nicholson shortly after it opened in 1885, might have said, question are never indiscreet, answers sometimes are.”

The deadline for submissions is Friday 28th February.

The museum and art gallery will close on Saturday 1st March so that the collection can be moved from the building and stored locally in a secure location to enable the building works to take place.

The library will remain open as usual until 4pm on 10th May.

A temporary library will then open in the reception area at Moorlands House on 27th May.