Latest
issue
GET ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
magazine
Yes! Send me the FREE digital edition of Attractions Management and the FREE weekly Attractions Management ezines and breaking news alerts!
Not right now, thanksclose this window I've already subscribed. I've already subscribed.
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
Black Country Living Museum secures HLF funding for major expansion
POSTED 19 Jun 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
The open air living museum tells the story of the people that once lived and worked in the heart of industrial Britain Credit: BCLM
The Black Country Living Museum (BCLM) in Dudley has been awarded £9.8m by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) which will go towards a facility expansion increasing the museum’s footprint by a third.

The £21.7m project – BCLM: Forging Ahead – is the first phase of a 40 year masterplan laid out by the museum, which celebrates the history of the Black Country in the Midlands.

The funding means the museum can now start work on the development of a 1940s to 1960s area, which will also feature new learning spaces and visitor facilities.

The museum says it has identified buildings across the region, which it wants to translocate, recreate or replicate on-site. These include pub, shops, a hairdressers and an NHS clinic.

Among the buildings to be relocated “brick by brick”, identified structures include the West Bromwich Gas Showroom, the Woodside Library, the William Griffin & Sons Proving House and the J H Lavender Aluminium Foundry.



“We plan to create a new historic development set in the 1940s-1960s, telling the story of social, cultural, commercial and industrial life in the Black Country during this period,” said BCLM.

“This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will allow us to tell the story of the Black Country up to the closure of the Baggeridge Coal Mine in 1968, bringing about the end of a unique era for the Black Country.”

In order to accommodate the 500,000 visitors a year the museum is targeting by 2022, a new contemporary Visitor Centre including new retail and catering facilities will provide a juxtaposition against the historic site. Additionally a new contemporary learning centre and complementary industrial learning space will be created to significantly enhance BCLM’s ability to deliver learning activities for the 80,000 school children that visit the site each year.

“BCLM is a world-class attraction that tells the story of the region’s history and provides a real boost to the local economy,” said Karen Bradley secretary of state for culture, media and sport.

“This exciting project, backed by £9.8m funding from National Lottery players, will help the museum reflect an important time in the area’s past and preserve its historic buildings for the future.”
The museum says it has identified buildings across the region, which it wants to translocate, recreate or replicate on-site Credit: Black Country Living Museum
RELATED STORIES
  Museum to recreate 1940s-60s town as new headline attraction


Ambitious plans have been submitted to recreate a 1960s town – complete with a public house, library and bowling green – in the heart of the Black Country Living Museum (BCLM) in Dudley, West Midlands.
  Keynote speaker unveiled for Tourism Society Symposium 2016


The CEO of Black Country Living Museum, Andrew Lovett, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for this year’s Tourism Society Symposium.
  Black Country Museum announces £600,000 loss


The Black Country Living Museum, in the West Midlands has announced losses of almost £600,000 as visitor numbers saw a drop of 50,000 people over the course of a year.
MORE NEWS
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
National Event Planning and Logistics Officer
English Heritage
Salary: £30,190 - £32,636pa + matched pension + benefits
Job location: Home-based with countrywide travel , United Kingdom
+ More jobs  

COMPANY PROFILES
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
LATEST ISSUES
+ View Magazine Archive

Attractions Management

2026 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 2


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2024 issue 4


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management News

06 Apr 2020 issue 153


View on turning pages
Download PDF
View archive
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Handbook

2019


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Black Country Living Museum secures HLF funding for major expansion
POSTED 19 Jun 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
The open air living museum tells the story of the people that once lived and worked in the heart of industrial Britain Credit: BCLM
The Black Country Living Museum (BCLM) in Dudley has been awarded £9.8m by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) which will go towards a facility expansion increasing the museum’s footprint by a third.

The £21.7m project – BCLM: Forging Ahead – is the first phase of a 40 year masterplan laid out by the museum, which celebrates the history of the Black Country in the Midlands.

The funding means the museum can now start work on the development of a 1940s to 1960s area, which will also feature new learning spaces and visitor facilities.

The museum says it has identified buildings across the region, which it wants to translocate, recreate or replicate on-site. These include pub, shops, a hairdressers and an NHS clinic.

Among the buildings to be relocated “brick by brick”, identified structures include the West Bromwich Gas Showroom, the Woodside Library, the William Griffin & Sons Proving House and the J H Lavender Aluminium Foundry.



“We plan to create a new historic development set in the 1940s-1960s, telling the story of social, cultural, commercial and industrial life in the Black Country during this period,” said BCLM.

“This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will allow us to tell the story of the Black Country up to the closure of the Baggeridge Coal Mine in 1968, bringing about the end of a unique era for the Black Country.”

In order to accommodate the 500,000 visitors a year the museum is targeting by 2022, a new contemporary Visitor Centre including new retail and catering facilities will provide a juxtaposition against the historic site. Additionally a new contemporary learning centre and complementary industrial learning space will be created to significantly enhance BCLM’s ability to deliver learning activities for the 80,000 school children that visit the site each year.

“BCLM is a world-class attraction that tells the story of the region’s history and provides a real boost to the local economy,” said Karen Bradley secretary of state for culture, media and sport.

“This exciting project, backed by £9.8m funding from National Lottery players, will help the museum reflect an important time in the area’s past and preserve its historic buildings for the future.”
The museum says it has identified buildings across the region, which it wants to translocate, recreate or replicate on-site Credit: Black Country Living Museum
RELATED STORIES
Museum to recreate 1940s-60s town as new headline attraction


Ambitious plans have been submitted to recreate a 1960s town – complete with a public house, library and bowling green – in the heart of the Black Country Living Museum (BCLM) in Dudley, West Midlands.
Keynote speaker unveiled for Tourism Society Symposium 2016


The CEO of Black Country Living Museum, Andrew Lovett, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for this year’s Tourism Society Symposium.
Black Country Museum announces £600,000 loss


The Black Country Living Museum, in the West Midlands has announced losses of almost £600,000 as visitor numbers saw a drop of 50,000 people over the course of a year.
MORE NEWS
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS