WORCESTER’s historic Guildhall welcomed another new addition when city Mayor Coun Steve Mackay formally opened the Museum of Royal Worcester’s temporary shop.
City Council chiefs stepped in to give the museum a six-month home for its shop at no cost while a major National Lottery funded gallery refurbishment takes place.
The temporary shop is on the ground floor of the north wing of the Guildhall, facing on to the High Street from where shoppers can pop in and visit.
Among the items on show at its temporary location will be the plans for museum’s redevelopment while the shop will continue to promote new activities.
As well as selling vintage and antique Royal Worcester made at the museum’s Severn Street factory, the shop also stocks the largest range of Portmeirion’s contemporary Royal Worcester goods in the local area.
Past factory workers will continue to demonstrate their skills and add interest for visitors who will also be able to purchase bespoke items decorated by them and, for the first time in its history, the museum will operate the shop on a seven-day-a-week basis.
Coun Mackay said: “It’s a great honour to open the temporary home of one of Worcester’s most renowned attractions.
“I am so pleased the City Council has been able to help the museum keep its much-loved shop open while the building undergoes an exciting refurbishment.”
The £1.7million museum redevelopment has been supported by a National Lottery grant of £1.4million awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) with the remaning costs funded by the museum.
Sir Michael Perry GBE, chairman of the museum said: “The museum’s trustees are deeply grateful to the City Council for providing a temporary home for the shop.
“Its position on High Street will ensure our presence throughout the refurbishment of the museum itself.”
