Lyme Regis Museum to reopen following extension

13 July 2017

Lyme Regis Museum, which features exhibitions of local history, geology and fossil displays from the UK's Jurassic Coast, is set to reopen on 17 July, following the completion of its new £1.5 million Mary Anning Wing extension.

Currie & Brown provided project management, cost management and principal designer services for this contemporary two-storey extension to the seafront museum in Dorset, as well as assisting with the selection and appointment of the architect and engineers. The team also aided the museum with the compilation of their successful Round 2 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Designed by George Vialls, the Lyme Regis facility is a Grade II-listed purpose-built museum dating from 1902. The Mary Anning Wing includes a multi-functional learning space, refurbished palaeontology gallery, an extended shop and ancillary facilities.

Museum director, David Tucker, stated: "We have been delighted with the accuracy of the project programming provided by Currie & Brown and their commitment to the project. Lyme Regis is the birthplace of the science of palaeontology, and our museum is built on the site of the home of the world’s first and greatest fossil hunter, Mary Anning. The Mary Anning Wing will enable our museum to do much more to make Lyme’s fascinating history accessible to very many more people, as well as ensuring that we are better able to protect the town’s exceptional heritage for future generations."

Myles Clough, project director in Currie & Brown’s Exeter office, agreed: "The Mary Anning Wing is set to educate and inspire residents and visitors alike. This has been called the most important transformation of the museum since it was built over a century ago, and we’re really pleased to have been part of this project and to witness its inauguration."