Carpet museum on target

Work on Kidderminster Carpet Museum could start as early as next year, officials announced today. Tenders are due to be invited in June.

Much of the paperwork connected with a Heritage Lottery grant of £1.7 million has been completed.

Once the tenders have been invited, it will clear the path for work on the Grade II listed Stour Vale Mill in Green Street, which dates back to 1855, to start.

The museum will celebrate the development and success of the carpet industry and the people who worked in it.

Stour Vale Mill was originally built as a factory for carpet-making and as a museum will house displays of old and new equipment, samples and pattern books.

The central attraction will be a working power loom and other galleries will depict the development of the industry from the 18th Century. The carpet archives centre will be relocated from New Road to the site. An education and resource area for families and schools is also to be created along with a temporary exhibition area.

Charles Talbot, project champion, said: "We are hoping conversion work could start early next year with the museum opening the following year in April or May 2011."