Bath & North East Somerset Council’s plans to create a new Fashion Museum in Bath have moved a step closer after securing £1.745 million in grant funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
How the proposed Fashion Museum could look | Image © B&NES Council
The money, agreed at the WECA meeting on 30th January, will support initial works to deliver the new museum at the Grade II listed Old Post Office in Milsom Street and help transform the surrounding public area.
Fashion Museum Bath is a key part of the council’s culture-led regeneration plans for the Milsom Quarter, which aim to “reimagine” this part of central Bath as a destination for fashion and culture, with improved public spaces, better traffic flow and more housing – making the area more attractive for businesses, residents and visitors.
The new museum will champion fashion’s “transformative power as a global industry and expression of creativity, culture and identity”, bringing the city’s internationally significant collection to life for local and global audiences.
At the heart of the project is the creation of a new public square in front of the Old Post Office, the museum and St Michael’s Church.
Currently dominated by vehicle traffic, the area will be redesigned as a civic space with better routes for pedestrians and cyclists, space for community events and new green landscaping.
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has approved the Outline Business Case for the scheme and awarded up to £1.745 million from its Investment Fund – £1.256 million in 2026/27 and £489k in 2027/28.
This follows a foundational investment of £1.5 million towards feasibility work in 2024/25. The project is identified as a flagship in the Combined Authority’s Growth Plan, described as an investment in the “growth, profile and success” of the wider region, not just Bath.
An artist’s impression of the proposed changes at Northgate Street in Bath | Image © B&NES Council
Councillor Kevin Guy, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, and Deputy Mayor of WECA, said: “It is fantastic news for the West of England’s creative and visitor economy that our ambitious vision for Fashion Museum Bath and the Milsom Quarter has been awarded a further £1.745 million of funding.
“The project will help attract further investment into the region, generate new employment opportunities, and strengthen the tourism and cultural sectors across the west of England.
“But this project is so much more than a UK-leading museum – it’s a key component of the Milsom Quarter Masterplan which is our plan for culture-led regeneration in this part of the city. It’s particularly pleasing that this grant will specifically contribute to creating a new public square, improved traffic flow and make the space more attractive for everyone.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, added: “I had the pleasure of seeing some of Fashion Museum Bath’s remarkable collection last year, which will soon be brought to life for locals and visitors alike at the heart of the Milsom Quarter.
“It is a real asset for our region. Building on the combined authority’s earlier investment, and that of the council and National Lottery Heritage Fund, this £1.75 million funding will help move this exciting project forward.
“We’re proud to have such a special cultural scene across the West of England and, through regional funding, we’re backing projects that strengthen our creative economy, improve public spaces, and boost the visitor economy. It’s a clear example of how our ambitious Growth Strategy will support places and people across our region to thrive.”
Construction of Fashion Museum Bath is expected to begin in 2027, subject to planning permission, ahead of a target opening date of December 2030.
The Milsom Quarter Masterplan sets out how public spaces will be improved to complement the historic environment and introduce more green areas, including the proposed new square in front of the museum and St Michael’s Church.
The scheme also aims to improve the movement of people and vehicles through the quarter, particularly around the new museum.
Following conditional approval of the Outline Business Case, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and the council will now work together to develop the proposals in more detail, with a Final Business Case due to be submitted later in 2026.
