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28 February 2023

Bright new entrance and shop launched at Wisbech Museum

A new way in opens up easy access for absolutely everyone to enjoy what Wisbech and Fenland Museum has to offer.

Visitors have been using the new entrance at the back of the building instead of climbing the steps from Museum Square since the Museum re-opened on February 15.

The back gates opposite the doorway of the parish church have been opened up leading visitors along a new paved walkway at ground level.

The bright and airy downstairs lobby houses a museum shop and reception area which will operate as a pop-up café for events when visitors can sit out in the courtyard. This area is currently being transformed into a garden by the Museum’s Cuppa and Colour volunteers thanks to a grant from Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.

Anyone who couldn't climb the imposing 19th century steps up to the old reception area in Museum Square can now access the internal lift directly through the new lobby with no fuss.

Opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday each week from 10am to 4pm.

Curator Robert Bell said: “We've always given our visitors a warm welcome, but we were aware that those stone steps were challenging for some of our visitors.

“While we were disrupted in 2021-2 for major repairs to the building, funded largely by a one-off capital grant from Historic England, we decided that we would take the opportunity to change our visitors' entrance and make ourselves genuinely accessible to all.

“There were some unavoidable delays in sourcing materials but now at last we're fully open and accessible.

“We're inviting everyone to come in and see the Museum, bring the children and explore what we've got here, take part in our events, join the Museum Friends, volunteer or come as a student, contribute financially or otherwise to keep us going.”

Keep up with your museum on Facebook and Twitter and find out more on www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk