A MAJOR new tourist attraction is being planned for Minehead with a museum twice the size of the existing one.

Somerset Council planners are being asked to approve a change of use of an historic building in the centre of town, museum trustees revealed this week.

Subject to planning permission, the now-empty Lane Centre, in Market House Lane, former home of Minehead Citizen’s Advice Bureau, could be welcoming its first museum visitors next spring.

The museum, which has been in ‘temporary’ accommodation in the Beach Hotel on the sea front since it opened 14 years ago, has been looking for more than five years for a larger property to buy.

Last year, trustees were poised to buy two adjoining shops In The Avenue but the sale fell through.

Trustees chairman Julian Luke said: “This is really an exciting opportunity.

Minehead Museum is having to temporarily abandon plans to move out of its premises beside the Beach Hotel.
Minehead Museum is looking to relocate to premises twice the size in the town centre. (Tindle News)

“There has been a long and frustrating search for suitable premises to provide a permanent home for the museum.

“The new building will be a real asset to the town, not just for tourists, but for local people, too.”

The 1898 building, in a side street behind The Parade, was formerly a fire station and later a children’s centre, andhas been empty since the advice bureau closed in April due to funding problems and operating costs.

Mr Luke said: “A move to a long-term home will secure the future of the collection and by moving into the town centre will make the museum more accessible to locals, schools, and community groups.

“Situated in a side street behind The Parade, next to the almshouses and the old market cross, we will be in an historic location, and there are car parks and bus stops nearby.”

Mr Luke said extensive conversion work would include the installation of a lift to give access to the first floor, plus a workroom and increased display and storage space.

He said: “Buying the property means we at last have security of tenure - our present premises are on a monthly contract - which means we can get national museum accreditation, which should open up options for a variety of grants.

“Having a sustainable building and a sustainable income will make an enormous difference to the museum and its future.

“We have the funds to buy the building outright and do some of the conversion, but we will be launching a fund-raising programme later.

“We will also be looking for help from people in the town, particularly for stewards and volunteers.

“We will be providing the public with plans and more information as the project progresses.

“At the moment, due to lack of space we have a somewhat old-style museum.

“We plan to make the new one more modern and more interactive with things like touchscreens, making it more accessible and more fun, particularly for children.”

The current museum, which has attracted nearly 100,000 visitors since it opened, closes its seasonal full-time hourson November 1, but will open on Saturdays until December 19, with information available about the relocationproject.