Jobs joy with £5m Heritage Museum
A £5m project to build a museum showcasing Stourbridge's glassmaking heritage, is to start this year.
The scheme, which will create 23 new jobs, has been backed by council planning officers.
It is hoped the visitor attraction which will be created on part of the former Stuart Crystal site, opposite the Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley, will be ready to open to the public in 2016.
It is anticipated the museum will attract more than 500,000 people a year.
The scheme has been heralded by planning officers at Dudley Council as a 'welcome opportunity to renovate and bring back into use buildings which are of historical importance to the borough'.
See also: Stourbridge glassworkers reflect on the past.
The proposals, submitted by Complex Development Projects Ltd, also include 18 apartments built on a separate part of the site and 11 commercial units.
The scheme has been recommended for approval and a final decision will be made by councillors at a meeting on Monday next week.
The application says: "The proposal would help create jobs and support economic growth, whilst bolstering tourism within the borough
Managing director of Complex Development Projects Ian Harrabin said: "It's a very exciting project and I'm sure it will have a big impact on this part of the borough."
The firm is waiting to hear the outcome of a bid for £2.15m from the European Regional Development Fund towards the project with the rest coming from grants.
Chairman of the British Glass Museum Graham Knowles said "We are delighted that the planning application has now been submitted for the new glass museum in the former Stuart Crystal factory buildings – this is a big step forward.
See also: Wolverhampton hospital historian looks to future of museum.
The museum should be open in 18 months time and will be a great new home for the borough's stunning glass collections currently held at Broadfield House and Himley Hall.
"With its long history of glassmaking and being opposite the Red House Cone this site is the perfect location for the new museum," added Mr Knowles.
The museum will showcase the borough's glass treasures and highlight the area's heritage through interactive displays.
