EXTENSIVE construction work has finally begin on Wrexham Museum as the highly-anticipated 'Museum of Two Halves' project continues.
SWG Construction, based in Welshpool, will be carrying out the major project in Regent Street on behalf of Wrexham Council with an opening date set for 2026.
The scope of the work includes the refurbishment, modernisation and extension of the existing Grade ll listed building and external works – which will also involve the revamp of Wrexham Museum’s galleries and comprehensive re-presentation of the Wrexham County Borough Council Collection.
The new football museum will celebrate Welsh football, past and present, in all its diversity, from grassroots clubs to the national teams, as well as highlighting Wrexham’s historic achievements in the sport and celebrating the rich football heritage of the county borough.
New galleries will be created to display the Wrexham Museum collections, which means an enhanced experience for visitors and a first-class, modern venue for discovering the fascinating and eventful story of our region of North East Wales.
Working alongside the community, the museum will host a programme of activities and events to inspire all who visit to learn, be active and achieve their potential.
The museum's cafe 'Courtyard Cafe' temporarily relocated to Ty Pawb in December last year while the building is closed for redevelopment.
Steve Gough, director of SWG Construction, said: “This is an amazing project to be involved in and we are delighted to be carrying out the work on behalf of Wrexham Borough Council. It involves the refurbishment and extension of the existing Grade ll listed building along with external works.
“The aim of the Museum of Two Halves project is to create a new Football Museum for Wales and a new museum for Wrexham, which will serve as a national visitor attraction, learning centre and community asset.
“We are already on-site and work is underway. The museum will be closed to the public for the duration of the project and we are working towards an opening date in 2026.
“The Wrexham Museum and the Museum of Two Halves will be impressive additions to the landscape of Wrexham which should prove to be a major attraction for visitors from far and wide.”
The Museum is being developed by Wrexham Council’s museum team in association with museum designers, Haley Sharpe Design and architects, Purcell.
Purcell’s Lead Architect Jane Roylance for the Wrexham project, said: “It has been a rewarding experience to work with Wrexham Council, the stakeholders and the consultant team to transform the iconic Grade II listed building into a new home for the Museum of Two Halves.
“This museum interweaves the rich history of Wrexham with its pivotal role in the development of football in Wales. The work we’ve done will unveil the most significant features of the building, while ensuring public access and enhancing accessibility, wellbeing and learning opportunities.
"With the contractors now on site, we are witnessing the realisation of Wrexham Council’s vision for the museum, which will undoubtedly draw more visitors to the city.”
Councillor Paul Roberts, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Partnerships, said: “The Museum of Two Halves project has reached another milestone on its journey to create a football museum for Wales and a new museum for Wrexham with the appointment of SWG as construction base-build contractors. The company have moved onto the Regent Street site in Wrexham city centre and work has begun.
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“Congratulations to the project team for the dedication and hard work that has enabled the museum development to reach this pivotal new stage. It is great to see the builders on site and hugely exciting to see this nationally important project move off the drawing board and into reality.”
The project is being supported with funding from Wrexham Council and Welsh Government, with additional support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation.
The Museum of Two Halves project has received £1.3m from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
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