It has emerged that the cost of Bath’s new Fashion Museum has leapt to £54 million – but the council has been evading the question of how it will be funded.
The Old Post Office in Bath
We have previously reported that the new museum, which is due to open in the city’s Milsom Quarter in four years, will cost £40 million, but during a debate about museums in the House of Commons on Thursday 5th March, the city’s Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse revealed the latest figure.
She spoke about the “plethora of museums” in Bath, highlighting the Museum of Bath at Work, Roman Baths, Victoria Art Gallery and American Museum.
She said: “Bath council is in the process of bringing together £54 million for a new fashion museum in Bath – I am particularly excited about that, because I like fashion.
“It will hopefully open in 2030 and will be a fabulous place to show the transformative power of fashion, stimulate the local and regional economy, and inspire citizens like me. I am sure I will be one of the first through the doors.”
The council’s heritage services department is currently seeking planning permission and listed building consent for the new museum, and a decision is expected by 22nd April, with construction work starting in 2027.
The site includes the Old Post Office building in New Bond Street, the Regency terraced properties at 21, 23 and 24 New Bond Street, and the courtyard behind.
How the proposed Fashion Museum could look | Image © B&NES Council
The new museum aims to welcome 250,000 visitors each year. It will have double the floorspace of the former museum, which was at the city’s Assembly Rooms for nearly 60 years. The National Trust took back the venue in 2022, and the collection of more than 100,000 items is currently being held at Dents at Warminster.
The Liberal Democrat-controlled council received a £1.745 million grant from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA) in January towards the new museum.
Last year the council indicated it would be applying in 2026 for a National Lottery grant of £7.2 million.
Since 27th January, the Echo’s repeated question to Bath & North East Somerset Council about the funding of the new Fashion Museum has gone unanswered.
When we again asked the council’s press office last week, we were informed that Fashion Museum updates would be sent when it has them.
