British Commercial Vehicle Museum set to go up another gear thanks to National Lottery support

The British Commercial Vehicle Museum (BCVM) in Leyland, Lancashire has received initial support* for a £1,588,000 funding bid from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

£94,500 has been awarded up front to help develop the ‘Up another gear’ project with the rest of the money earmarked to be released at a later date, subject to a further application.

Plans for the museum include:

• Refurbishing the roof and replacing the heating and lighting systems; 
• Creation of a multi-purpose space for a new café bar, corporate dining and family and schools activities;
• Creation of a new archive space at the rear of the building to enable the archive to be held together in one place with space for research and digitisation projects;
• Improvements to the shop and toilets;
• New interpretation based around a considered and coherent storyline which will appeal to a wider range of visitors;
• Employing a Volunteer and Activity Manager;
• Training for young people in engineering skills and vehicle repair and maintenance.

Keith Moyes, Manager at the Museum, said: The British Commercial Vehicle Museum Trust, The volunteers, and staff are excited at this opportunity to possibly develop this fine museum. The museum is recognised as a great example of transport heritage and working with National Lottery Fund look to improve the facilities, educational offers and interaction with the other museums in the UK. We understand that funding is restrictive in the museum sector and are pleased that this museum has been recognised as a worthy recipient of Lottery funding and we are looking to the future with renewed vigor.

Housed in the last surviving building of the original Leyland Motors Factory, the Museum contains a unique collection of vehicles, memorabilia and archives covering over a century of commercial vehicle development. The collection includes an 1896 Thorneycroft steam van, the Pope-mobile built in Leyland for the Pope's visit in 1982 and two vehicles built for the First World War.

Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “Commercial motor vehicles are a vital part of the identity of this area and the museum plays a crucial role in keeping this legacy alive. We are pleased to offer this National Lottery support to help the Museum develop for the future and tell this story to many more people and we look forward to seeing how plans progress.”

Ends

Notes to editors

About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery