Fashion Museum awarded £7.2m grant
Fashion Museum Bath has been awarded a £7.2million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to progress plans for the development of the museum.
Housed in the Old Post Office in the centre of Bath, Fashion Museum Bath will be one of the UK’s most significant cultural projects, playing a pivotal role in the cultural, economic and social future of the region.
The new museum will showcase more of the Fashion Museum’s renowned collection than ever before.
Designated by Arts Council England as being of outstanding national importance, the collection spans from the late sixteenth century to the present day.
Funding from the Heritage Fund will safeguard and transform access to the collection, ensuring it can continue to be researched, interpreted and enjoyed by everyone. An ambitious digital programme will further broaden access through the development of a new online catalogue, making the collection available to researchers, students and fashion enthusiasts around the world, while securing its relevance for future generations.
Bath & North East Somerset Council leader, Councillor Kevin Guy said, “This grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund marks a transformational moment for Bath and comes hot on the heels of the recently secured planning permission for the new Museum.
“This project represents far more than capital investment. It will breathe new life into a landmark building, create opportunities for local people, support young people’s skills and creativity, improve accessibility, strengthen Bath’s visitor economy and enhance one of the city’s most important public spaces.
“At a time when many places are scaling back ambition, Bath is investing in its future – combining heritage, culture, economic growth and public realm improvements to create a more vibrant, inclusive and prosperous city. The progress achieved over the past year provides strong confidence that both projects can deliver lasting benefits for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, added, “This major boost from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is exciting news for the Fashion Museum, helping to open up its remarkable collection to fashion fans and historians around the world online while it continues its journey towards a new home in Milsom Quarter.
“When it reopens, the Fashion Museum will not only strengthen Bath’s existing appeal as a world-class visitor destination, but further cement the West of England’s reputation as a globally leading centre of creativity and culture.”
The funding will also enable a major pre-opening programme focused on skills development for local people.
The new Fashion Museum Bath is designed by award‑winning architects 6a and it is set to become one of the first museums in the UK to achieve the EnerPHit standard, the internationally recognised benchmark for the sustainable retrofit of existing buildings.
This Delivery Phase award builds on the £768,000 Development Phase grant awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in March 2025, alongside significant investment from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The museum is anticipated to reopen in 2030 with construction starting on site in late 2027.
For more information and to get involved, visit: fashionmuseum.co.uk
Pictured: The new museum will be located at the Old Post Office in Milsom Quarter (IMAGE: Fashion Museum Bath)
