Have your say on plans for Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

The plans underpin the council's continued commitment to creating a dynamic, smart, healthy and vibrant city for residents and will help to ensure culture and heritage are able to play a key role in Sunderland's economic regeneration.

They would see improvements to the building, collection displays and exhibition spaces, with funding being sought from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other sources to match-fund council funding secured via its capital budget.

Councillor Linda Williams, Cabinet Member for Vibrant City, said: "We're really excited about improving one of our city's all time favourite spaces. We want to make sure that the whole museum is a modern, accessible, bright and innovative space that shows off our rich and vibrant stories to everyone near and far.

"A major part of this will involve updating the story of Sunderland - our stories - to make sure they better reflect our communities, who we are, and where we come from. We also want to improve the Winter Gardens as a place to both learn and relax, using the natural surroundings to inspire and reconnect.

"We're also going to be working towards improving the building as we respond to the climate emergency as a city and make sure our collections continue to be kept safe and made even more accessible.  We want to do everything we can to reinvigorate the connection between the museum and Mowbray Park, opening up a whole new way for residents and visitors to experience both spaces. 

"Above all, we will be working towards the Museum & Winter Gardens being a valuable backdrop for activity, learning, excitement, and engagement that brings the whole community together.

"We'd love to hear what people think of our plans. So, I'd encourage everyone to take part in the Let's Talk Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens consultation, either by completing the online survey or popping into one of the in person activities which we'll be announcing soon. Whether you're a regular visitor or you've never been before, we want to hear from you."

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is owned and operationally managed by Sunderland City Council with its learning and engagement and exhibition programme led by Sunderland Culture. 

People can give their views by completing the Let's Talk Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens online survey at: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/letstalksmwg

There will also be the opportunity for people to have their say on the plans at a number of in person activities, details of which will be announced soon. The consultation is open until 30 June.