Poole Museum has now closed for redevelopment work funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone.

The redevelopment, supported by BCP Council, will transform the museum and provide extensive new and updated community facilities.

Three new galleries will showcase Poole Museum's maritime collections and are being 'co-created' with residents. A new temporary exhibition gallery will bring major touring exhibitions to Poole.

The museum's three historic buildings, Grade II listed Oakley’s Mill, and the Grade I listed medieval Wool Hall and Scaplen's Court, will be restored and conserved while urgent repairs and maintenance are carried out. New spaces will be opened up to the public for the first time, including Scaplen’s Court and Garden which will be open to the public year-round as part of a visit to Poole Museum.

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Better access is integral to plans which include putting in place a new, larger lift in Poole Museum plus the installation of an elevator in Scaplen’s Court, providing access to the upper floor of this building for the first time.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places at BCP Council said: "With support from Poole Museum Foundation, Poole Museum will be ‘on the move’ during the work. We will be bringing our collections and stories out into the community while the museum is closed. We will visit local schools, community groups, parks, open air events, fun days and festivals. There's lots of opportunities to get involved and find out more about your new museum – you can even take a look behind the scenes at what's going on!"

The first phase of the redevelopment, including major re-roofing and glazing works, installation of solar panels, insulation of roofs and walls and external repairs will finish in March 2023. The sustainability improvements will reduce the carbon footprint of the museum by 25 per cent.

Poole Museum is scheduled to reopen towards the end of 2024.