Inspiring Business by Sharing Success

Focus appointed for cost management services on Blackpool’s first ever museum

Focus appointed for cost management services on Blackpool’s first ever museum

The company is providing cost management services for the scheme, which will explore the history of dancers, acrobats and comedians who have performed at the seaside town as well as behind-the-scenes stories from producers, visitors and residents that provide a new insight into the history of Blackpool.

On display will be more than 800 items of memorabilia, plus experiences and activities that will provide fun for all the family from juggling to Punch and Judy shows. Changing exhibitions will attract visitors back time and time again.

The museum will create approximately 40 jobs, offering 20 training placements, engaging with local residents and schools and aims to attract 300,000 visitors a year – all of which help to work towards the town’s exciting regeneration plans.

Following funding in 2019 from National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund, the Coastal Communities Fund and the Lancashire Growth Deal, construction work has now begun on site and Focus is providing cost management services working alongside Blackpool Council, Buttress Architects, exhibition designer Casson Mann and Lancashire-based construction firm Conlon Construction.

Eleanor Clarke, Partner at Focus, said:

“It is wonderful to be involved in a project that looks to celebrate the town’s rich heritage and we look forward to seeing this vision come to life.”

Focus was first involved with the project providing a due diligence review of project status and costs, suggesting options on how to re-work the scope given the budget challenges it was facing. With extensive experience gained over 25 years from similar heritage projects, Focus is well placed to see the project across the line on budget, bringing the following skills to ensure a successful outcome:

  • proven expertise in exhibition fit out quantity surveying delivery
  • intimate knowledge of the processes and procedures used by grant regimes, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Growth Deal Fund, and Coastal Communities Fund
  • a track record that includes some of the largest and most prestigious museum, interpretation and conservation projects in the United Kingdom such as D-Day Museum, V&A Museum and National Army Museum.

Leader of Blackpool Council and Cabinet Member for Tourism and Culture, Councillor Lynn Williams, said:

“As Blackpool’s first museum we wanted to work with a company that truly understands our product and is on board with all the excitement that is to come. Showtown, the museum of fun and entertainment, will bring a boost of positive energy to this amazing town. 

“We are delighted to be working with Focus Consultants on the cost management of the Showtown exhibition. They come with a wealth of experience in managing successful cultural developments up and down the country.” 

Showtown, located within the new Sands Venue Resort Hotel and Spa next to Blackpool Tower, is set to open its doors in 2023.

To find out more about the project and to keep up to date with its progress, visit https://www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/

For more information about Focus, visit www.focus-consultants.com

Picture: Casson Mann

 


< Back