Newcastle Museums Gear Up for Major Safety and Upgrade Overhaul

Two of Newcastle's most important museums are about to get some urgent repairs to make sure they stay safe and open for everyone. The Discovery Museum and the Laing Art Gallery, both owned by Newcastle City Council, have been found to need immediate maintenance. The council recently inspected the buildings and discovered that several things need to be fixed right away. This includes replacing old and broken fire alarms, putting in new fire doors, and fixing unsafe electrical systems. Some of the lifts in the Discovery Museum are not working and will be repaired, while the Laing Art Gallery will get an upgraded electrical system.

The city council has agreed to spend £873,000 on these repairs, with some extra money coming from other groups. The Discovery Museum is a very popular place, with over 179,000 visitors last year. The Laing Art Gallery also attracts many people, with 100,000 visitors in the same period. Both museums are free to enter and are seen as important cultural places for the city. The council says these museums help bring lots of visitors to Newcastle and are a big part of the city's culture.

At the Laing Art Gallery, the public lift will be improved to make it easier for people in wheelchairs to use, and the goods lift will be moved. The Discovery Museum is located in Blandford House, a historic building that is Grade II listed. Inside, it has many treasures, including the famous Turbinia ship, which was the first ship powered by steam turbines and was once the fastest in the world. In 2022, museum leaders warned that the building was in a serious state of decline. The government has given more than £3 million to replace the roof, and that work should be finished by next spring. All these repairs are meant to keep the museums safe, open, and enjoyable for everyone who visits.