The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced a total of £700,000 funding for museum projects in Manchester and Liverpool.

The People's History Museum in Manchester is to receive £200,000 towards a feasibility study looking into how it might house a new Museum Centre for British History, while the Walker Art Gallery and Juniper Street 1 projects - part of National Museums Liverpool - are to share £500,000 for capital projects.

The redevelopment of the People's History Museum has been taking place over the last two years. The new museum, comprising a refurbished Victorian pumphouse and a new development, will help to tell the story of the growth of democracy, and will also house important exhibits and archives from the major political parties.

The DCMS already provides an annual grant contribution to the museum - amounting to £178,000 in 2010-11 - and further funding comes from a range of sources, including the Greater Manchester local authorities.

The funding for National Museums Liverpool will be added to their capital grant-in-aid for 2009-2010, and will support work on two projects.

The Walker Art Gallery will receive attention to its roof, including the removal, repair and replacement of leadwork to its main entrance portico and the introduction of a new ventilation system in the roof space.

Juniper Street 1 is to benefit from roof re-covering, upgraded lighting, replacement heating and new external security doors.

Pic courtesy of People's History Museum