City fishing museum lands catch of £60,000 for grand reopening next year

Published on Tuesday 9 September 2008 09:44

THE Capital's fishing industry museum is in line for a £60,000 funding boost and a grand re-opening next year.

A consultation will shortly get under way to examine what should be on show at the Newhaven Heritage Museum, which temporarily closed in September 2006.

The centre charts the area's centuries-old traditions of boat-building and fishing, but had to close for the redevelopment of its historic base, which is owned by Forth Ports.

Having enjoyed a rent-free existence since opening in 1994, negotiations over a new lease with Forth Ports initially raised fears the museum would never re-open.

But today's announcement of a 10,000 consultation marks a significant breakthrough, and will be jointly funded by the council and Forth Ports.

Its remit is to investigate how to improve visitor numbers, and decide how present the history of Newhaven. The ambition is to re-open the centre next Easter and the council will put up 60,000 to enhance the existing displays.

City culture leader Deidre Brock said: "We want to create a museum in the area that is fitting of Newhaven's rich and fascinating history – something that local people can take pride in."