National Tramway Museum Secures £492,880 Investment to Safeguard Great Exhibition Hall
The National Tramway Museum in Crich, Derbyshire has been awarded £492,880 from Arts Council England’s Museum Estates and Development Fund to preserve and enhance one of its most significant buildings, the Great Exhibition Hall.
This major investment will support a programme of essential refurbishment works focused on three key areas: the roof, windows, and lighting. The roof works will prevent leaks and protect the building’s structure, while improvements to the original cast iron window frames will strengthen their structural integrity and reduce harmful UV light that can damage the paintwork of historic tramcars. In addition, a new extended lighting track will be installed to significantly enhance the display and visibility of the trams.
The Great Exhibition Hall is the largest single building on site and, now 35 years old, plays a critical role in the museum’s operations. It houses 25 tramcars and historic vehicles, forming a core part of the museum’s nationally significant collection, including some of its oldest exhibits dating back to 1873.
Roger Shelley, Funding Manager at the National Tramway Museum, said:
“The Great Exhibition Hall is central to our visitor experience, and this investment recognises the importance of safeguarding what we already have – a collection of historic trams designated for their national significance.
“As well as carrying out vital repairs to the roof and windows, these improvements will benefit all visitors by enhancing lighting and creating a more engaging and visually appealing exhibition space. We’re incredibly grateful to Arts Council England for their confidence in our work and for their support in helping secure the future of this key building.”
The National Tramway Museum, formerly known as Crich Tramway Village, has been welcoming visitors for over 60 years and is home to more than 80 historic trams, with around 20 operating regularly.
Works on the Great Exhibition Hall will be carefully planned to minimise disruption, with the majority taking place during the winter closure period. The project is currently scheduled for completion by the end of March 2027.
Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said:
“Museums can inspire us, provide connection, and help us to make sense of the world around us.”
The Museum Estates and Development Fund aims to ensure that important cultural buildings like the Great Exhibition Hall are protected, allowing their collections to be enjoyed by future generations.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Hedgerow Heroes celebrate nature restoration achievement Regional charities Groundwork Five Counties and CPRE Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire have concluded their collaborative natur read more | |
| CCTV footage released following burglary at South Normanton supermarket Police have released CCTV footage of a trio of burglars we are tracing following a break-in at a supermarket read more | |
| Library To Hold Weekly Sessions In Village Hall Due To Temporary Closure Book lovers in Somercotes are being encouraged to take advantage of new weekly sessions which have been set read more | |
| Ripley's former HSBC branch to go under the hammer The former branch of HSBC in the Derbyshire market town of Ripley is to go up for auction this month with a guide price of £ read more | |
| Belper Chess Club Celebrates Back-to-Back League Triumph Belper Chess Club is celebrating a major achievement after its First Team secured the Derbyshire Chess Association Division read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Food waste recycling is coming to Amber Valley From June 2026, Amber Valley Borough Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling across the borough as part of a phased roll-ou read more | |
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
