Councillors hear more about mining museum’s future plans amid financial challenges
Midlothian Council Leader Kelly Parry and Cabinet Member for Tourism Colin Cassidy enjoyed a warm welcome from Newton, the National Mining Museum of Scotland’s mascot, when they visited on Thursday.
Future plans to attract more visitors
The councillors were in Newtongrange to meet informally with Kerry Godfrey, the museum’s communications and audience development manager, to hear more about the five-star attraction’s short and longer-term plans to attract more visitors.
Healthy family fun day ticket sales
Councillor Cassidy said: “While it was encouraging to hear Saturday’s family fun day has already sold around 1,000 tickets, we also wanted to get a sense of how the museum, housed in one of the best-preserved Victorian Collieries in Europe, was planning to safeguard the future of this unique slice of Scotland’s industrial heritage.
Celebrating 130 years
“After all, it’s celebrating its 130th birthday and we want it to be around for centuries to come.”
Major transformation project
The councillors heard more details of the venue’s aim to raise over £450k for a major transformation project to become a world-class destination for Midlothian.
Ambitious plans
Plans include extending its ability to host events such as weddings and conferences, creating a collections discovery & skills centre, developing green energy and communal growing projects and restoring its A-listed buildings and iconic winding engine.
More visitors
Cllr Parry said: “The plans are very encouraging but with the museum’s acknowledged reliance on grant funding from the Scottish Government, the only way it is ever going to achieve financial sustainability is by getting more people through the door.
Local support
“Locally then we all need to do our bit by visiting what is a major attraction right on our doorstep while as a council we continue to help the museum explore more funding streams and other ways to generate income.
Great public transport links
“It’s so easy to get here by public transport – buses and trains can take people just about to the door – and, once here the tours by former miners are fascinating.
See you at the fun day
“In the meantime, don’t forget to come along on Saturday from 11am to 4pm to enjoy everything from pony rides to face painting.”
Tickets
Visit the museum's website
In the picture
In the picture are Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism Councillor Colin Cassidy, Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry and Newton, the National Mining Museum’s mascot at the entrance to the venue and at the mining wheel in the gardens.