Kier has secured a industrial sector contract to build a new collection management facility in Wiltshire.

The new facility will be located at the National Collections Centre, housing over 300,000 items from the Science Museum Group (SMG) Collection. It will also allow SMG to share more of its collection online and in cultural institutions across the globe.

Construction work is set to begin on site ahead of an early 2020 completion.

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The new facility will be open for public tours, school and research visits from 2023.

Mark Pausey, managing director of Kier Construction Central, said: "We're thrilled to be working with the Science Museum Group to deliver this innovative project in Wiltshire, enabling increased public access to thousands of items that are not currently on display. This is another exciting scheme for Kier as we continue to expand our position in this sector."

Sian Williams, Programme Director at the Science Museum Group, added: "We are delighted that construction will soon be underway at the National Collections Centre, creating a new permanent home for the national collection in Wiltshire. This new facility will transform public access to one of the most significant scientific collections in the world, and we can't wait to welcome public tours, research and school visits from 2023."

(CM/MH)