Discover the new look at Erewash Museum

The recent renovations have added a wide range of improvements to the beloved Ilkeston-based heritage and culture hub, including a welcoming foyer and expanded café, thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Funding.

Visitors may now find themselves being greeted by the museum’s friendly staff in the freshly decorated foyer space and reception area, where the historic entrance door, plasterwork ceilings and window shutters have had a fresh coat of paint and are looking picturesque.  

The new furniture and fittings in the foyer, cafe and gift shop showcase the repaired and cleaned historic features of the property, which hark back to the 18th and 19th century. The area also benefitted from an increase in floor space to make more room for visitors, providing a wonderful place to take in the interior of the Georgian house or browse the items on sale. The flooring has also been updated to be more in keeping with the character of the room as well.  

The café seating has been expanded, ready to serve more visitors during busy times. The space has become more flexible and can now be adapted to have different uses, providing a more versatile space for visitors. The work has been undertaken by local Ilkeston firm, Limetree Build who were appointed by the council in June to undertake the refurbishments.

Further improvements will continue later in the year with the addition of new state-of-the-art showcases in the Lally Gallery to enhance the museum’s exhibition capability. The council has instructed a world leading expert in museum showcases, Meyvaert whose products grace galleries across the world, including the Imperial War Museum in London and The Louvre in Paris.  

The Handyside Urn has returned from the conservators and is back to its full glory in the museum’s garden. The urn was made locally by Andrew Handyside & Company in the 19th century and was shown at the Great Exhibition in London of 1851. Just below the large bowl, there are eight heads of famous people: Nelson, Peel, Watt, Wellington, Stephenson, Scott, Milton and Shakespeare. The restoration of the urn was possible thanks to funding from the Friends of Erewash Museum and the work itself was completed by Calibre Metalwork.

Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Becca Everett, who is the Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “We are excited to reopen the doors to the museum which now provides a space that’s even more welcoming to visitors, and that has further enhanced its charming heritage features.

“We are proud of our achievements at Erewash Museum in the past two years, including the council investment last year into Dalby House café and now the additional works through UK SPF. These refurbishments have shown our continued support and commitment to improving the museum, which is so important to Erewash residents of all ages.”

A spokesman for Limetree Build, said: ‘’We are pleased to have worked with the council to achieve their ambitions undertaking the refurbishments at Erewash Museum.’’