Manx National Heritage, the charity responsible for the care and promotion of the Isle of Man’s natural and cultural heritage, is currently seeking expressions of interest from building contractors to complete the next phase in the development of the new TT Gallery at the Manx Museum.
Set to open in 2022, the new gallery will offer a world class visitor experience at the Manx Museum. The new permanent exhibition will tell the story of the Isle of Man TT from its inception in 1907 to the present day. It will offer visitors the opportunity to experience a tantalising, taste of the TT atmosphere all year round and portray the real-life stories of everyone involved – riders, families, mechanics, marshals and fans.
The basement floor of the Manx Museum is being fully refurbished and upgraded to house the new permanent exhibition that will celebrate and showcase the incredible story of the Isle of Man TT and the people that make it. Prior to being repurposed as part of the Island’s National museum, the basement was a hospital ward at the original Nobles Hospital, from when it opened in 1888.
Building contractors are now being sought to undertake structural, building, mechanical and electrical works to the new gallery, prior to the next phase commencing.
Steve Blackford, Head of Properties for Manx National Heritage said:
“With the first phase of the gallery development complete, we are now moving on to infrastructure works, which include the installation of a passenger lift with associated structural works and service diversions, removal of several columns within the gallery and installation of beams to provide alternative support. We’ll also be installing an access ramp in place of steps between the different floor levels in the gallery, providing additional external doors and fire exits, completing heating and ventilation works and putting in new wall, floor and ceiling linings. Lighting and power will also require upgrading to meet the needs of the new exhibition. All work will be completed to modern day accessibility, building, fire protection and conservation standards, with issues such as ground damp addressed to ensure historically significant TT motorcycles, objects and archive materials can safely be placed within the new gallery.
These major works have to be completed before the next phase of the project can commence, which will include fitting out the new gallery including the exhibition mounts and display infrastructure, and then finally installing the amazing exhibits themselves”.
On completion, the next phase of the project will be spearheaded by specialist exhibition design agency, Creative Core. Based in West Yorkshire, Creative Core specialise in creating exhibitions for museums, galleries and visitor attractions, with their latest project set to capture the excitement of the world-famous, Isle of Man TT races. They will work alongside the team at Manx National Heritage and together with UK, and Isle of Man based contractors, design, supply, fit out and install the gallery.
To find out more about the ‘TT Gallery Infrastructure Works Contract’ and be part of this major development, visit the Isle of Man Government Procurement Portal.
ENDS
Media contact:
Lynsey Clague, Communications Manager, Manx National Heritage
E-mail: Lynsey.Clague@mnh.im
Tel: 01624 648032