Museum of London Relocation Project Awarded £73m Funding

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28 April 2023

The next phase in the relocation and regeneration of the Museum of London has been awarded £73 million of funding from The City of London Corporation.

The new museum is predicted to become one of London’s top ten visitor attractions, generating significant economic benefits and bringing over two million visitors a year to the Smithfield area.

Other significant contributors to the projects are the Mayor of London, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and their affiliated charity, the Linbury Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Sharon Ament, Director of Museum of London, said: “London has been slap-bang in the middle of it all - of culture, of trade and of ideas - for hundreds of years and so it feels right that we’re relocating the Museum of London to Smithfield Market – in the historic heart of the capital. This will be more than a museum, it will tell the story of all Londoners – past, present and future; it will be a new civic space for millions of visitors to enjoy, 24 hours a day, and it will be a living, breathing building that buzzes with the energy of Londoners. It will bring a new economy and foster a new relationship between people and the place in which they live, work or are visiting.

“The countdown starts now. This summer, we’ll be celebrating 45 years at our London Wall site, honouring our great past at the centre of London life before looking forward to being reborn as The London Museum.”

One of the World’s Most Accessible Museums

The relocation to West Smithfield means that the site will be one of the world’s most accessible museums with Farringdon station just seconds away. The museum will also open early and close late – reflecting London’s position as a 24-hour city.

The museum will welcome its first visitors to preview events and a festival curated by Londoners in late 2025, and open to the public as a visitor attraction in 2026.

Sir Robert McAlpine Appointed as Construction Manager

Sir Robert McAlpine has been appointed as the construction management partner for the main works, and the £73 million provides the necessary funding to appoint sub-contractors required to build the new museum.

The development project as a whole is predicted to cost around £340 million.

Picture: a CGI image showing the new museum exterior. Image Credit: Secchi Smith

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 28 April 2023

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