CONSTRUCTION has started on a £1.2 million extension to Newton Abbot Museum.

Mayor Cllr Louise Cooke signalled the start when she inspected the powerful digger before it set about excavating foundation trenches.

The project, supported almost entirely by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and other grant-giving bodies, will deliver a fully accessible and environmentally stable collections store with more space for community engagement.

It will also put an end to additional off-site storage.

Mayor of Newton Abbot Cllr Louise Cooke at the start of work on the museum extension. Photo supplied
Mayor of Newton Abbot Cllr Louise Cooke at the start of work on the museum extension. Photo supplied (MDA )

Cllr Cooke said: ‘It’s absolutely fabulous to see construction starting, I’m so grateful to the museum team who have worked so hard to get the funding for it.

‘I think the museum is a real jewel in Newton Abbot’s crown and I can’t wait to see this store opened to the public.’

A public information day will be held on August 31 from 11am to 4.30pm. It will provide information about the project, include a tour of the existing stores, show unseen objects from the collection and offer a workshop.

Curator Joanna Eccles said: ‘This project has been made possible through generous grants from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Swire Charitable Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation, alongside support from other donors.

‘It is a fully funded project, bringing more than £1 million of external investment into Newton Abbot without diverting Town Council funds from other commitments.

‘Most importantly, this investment is about our community. The new store will ensure that Newton Abbot’s heritage is cared for future generations, while creating more opportunities for local people to discover, explore and connect with their own history.’

Contracts Manager Vince Thorne from Devon company Classic Builders has promised to be a good neighbour during the construction phase.

‘It’s just nice to do a job for the community, you feel like you’re giving something back,’ he said.

‘We’re an independently-owned business and winning a contract like this means the money stays local.

‘Construction can be a noisy and disruptive business but we tend to give a two-week look-ahead programme to the client and we’ll communicate with local residents.

‘They need to know what’s coming and not have any nasty shocks.’

The building could be ready for its fit-out by Christmas with the facility being fully operational in 2027.

Day-to-day running of the museum is funded by Newton Abbot Town Council.

Total project cost is £1,189,976, which has been fully funded by grants, earmarked reserves and museum donations.

Construction will require the temporary closure of 11 parking spaces in the Newfoundland Way Car Park.

All spaces will be reopened once the building is complete.

The £2.2 million Newton’s Place project which houses the museum was delivered in 2020 by Newton Abbot Town Council in response to public calls for a better museum and community hub.

The project received significant financial support from a range of donors including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and was achieved without having to increase the town share of Council Tax bills.