Have your say on how Museum of Lincolnshire Life should spend £500k

Plans for the £500,000 revamp of a Lincoln museum will be shown to the public during a series of events.

The museum of Lincolnshire Life was awarded the cash in April by the Arts Council and Lincolnshire County Council to make improvements.

Proposals for a new reception, gift shop, courtyard and outdoor play area are now set to be unveiled and people are being asked for their opinion.

People who live and work in the area told the Echo they believe the revamp is needed, deserved and well overdue.

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Resident Linda Alton believes the café needs improvements, especially to make it more accessible. She said: "I think some things need to be a bit more accessible, especially for people with wheelchairs. It isn't very clear where they can and can't go."

Pauline Moore owns the Greenhouse coffee shop, which is near the museum, and hopes the regeneration will help her business and others.

She said: "Even if they improve the café it isn't that big in there and we get quite a lot of overflow from there anyway. I'm sure it would be good for us and for all the local businesses, it's always good to get tourists from outside of Lincoln."

The improvements also intend to make the museum more energy efficient.

George Gregory, member of staff at the museum, said: "I think it's over 20 years since we had such a massive amount of funding, we've kind of been ignored. The Collection and the Usher Gallery have had massive revamps and we've been pushed aside.

"I think it will enhance our visitor numbers, it will really benefit the museum."

Liz Johnson, relationship manager for Museums at Arts Council England, said: "The Arts Council funding was awarded to make a range of improvements over the next 12 months bringing Lincolnshire's rich heritage to life for audience members."

Nicola Rogers, manager for the museum, said: "Since the introduction of free entry three years ago, the museum has gone from strength to strength. This project represents the next exciting step."

"This is your chance to be part of telling the story of Lincolnshire and our heritage."

Members of the public will be consulted on the plans on Wednesday September 27 and Wednesday October 3. A conservation plan workshop will take place on Wednesday, September 27 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and 6pm to 8pm.

Audience development and interpretation plans workshops will take place on Wednesday, October 3 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and 7pm to 9pm.