Posted 15 October 2009 at 00:00
THREE top Preston organisations have joined forces to develop a multi-million package to keep the National Football Museum in the city.
The ambitious bid unveiled by Lancashire County Council, Preston City Council and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) aims to stop the financially-threatened attraction moving to Manchester.
The museum's board of trustees are now considering the proposal, which aims to secure the attraction's long-term future in Preston with a promise of immediate investment, backed by a plan to attract sponsors, boost visitor numbers and revamp the exhibition space.
County Councillor Geoff Driver, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said:
"Preston is the first and true home of football and the National Football Museum is an important part of the life of the county. We're not going to let the museum leave without a fight. "The plan we've put on the table is a strong commitment by the three leading public bodies in Preston. It will deal with the immediate funding shortfall and at the same time bring our significant resources to bear on giving the museum a permanent future in Preston where it belongs."
"Preston is the first and true home of football and the National Football Museum is an important part of the life of the county. We're not going to let the museum leave without a fight.
"The plan we've put on the table is a strong commitment by the three leading public bodies in Preston. It will deal with the immediate funding shortfall and at the same time bring our significant resources to bear on giving the museum a permanent future in Preston where it belongs."
Councillor Ken Hudson, Leader of Preston City Council, said:
“The National Football Museum belongs in Preston and we are doing everything possible to keep the museum right here in the city. We have put forward an excellent funding package and I am delighted that Lancashire County Council and the University of Central Lancashire have joined forces with us to pool resources and put our full financial muscle behind this proposal. “Our proposal guarantees the National Football Museum financial security and a real platform for even greater success in the future. We have gone out of our way to try and convince the trustees that there is simply no need to move from Preston. We now sincerely hope that the trustees will see the very clear benefits of our proposal and decide to remain loyal to Preston and work with us, to build a bright future for the museum right here in Preston.”
“The National Football Museum belongs in Preston and we are doing everything possible to keep the museum right here in the city. We have put forward an excellent funding package and I am delighted that Lancashire County Council and the University of Central Lancashire have joined forces with us to pool resources and put our full financial muscle behind this proposal.
“Our proposal guarantees the National Football Museum financial security and a real platform for even greater success in the future. We have gone out of our way to try and convince the trustees that there is simply no need to move from Preston. We now sincerely hope that the trustees will see the very clear benefits of our proposal and decide to remain loyal to Preston and work with us, to build a bright future for the museum right here in Preston.”
Malcolm McVicar, UCLan Vice-Chancellor, said:
"The University is working in partnership with Lancashire County Council and Preston City Council to secure the future of the National Football Museum in Preston. Preston is the home of football and the museum is an important part of Lancashire's heritage. We believe that by working together we can secure the future of the museum and increase its use by all sections of the community." The partnership proposes to make an immediate injection of at least £400,000 a year to make up for the shortfall in funding from national and regional bodies. An additional £3m needed to refit and refresh the museum would also be made available subject to a business case being prepared. This may be funded in part with match funding from the North West Regional Development Agency. The three partners also propose to support the museum through a development strategy to include a new business plan, corporate sponsorship, and innovative marketing campaigns. Expertise in historical research, archives and curation will be provided through Lancashire County Council's museum service, record office and UCLan's National Football Institute. Under the plan, the museum's 15,000 item collection could also be made available to more people in the North West through exhibitions at local museums across the region.
"The University is working in partnership with Lancashire County Council and Preston City Council to secure the future of the National Football Museum in Preston. Preston is the home of football and the museum is an important part of Lancashire's heritage. We believe that by working together we can secure the future of the museum and increase its use by all sections of the community."
The partnership proposes to make an immediate injection of at least £400,000 a year to make up for the shortfall in funding from national and regional bodies.
An additional £3m needed to refit and refresh the museum would also be made available subject to a business case being prepared. This may be funded in part with match funding from the North West Regional Development Agency.
The three partners also propose to support the museum through a development strategy to include a new business plan, corporate sponsorship, and innovative marketing campaigns. Expertise in historical research, archives and curation will be provided through Lancashire County Council's museum service, record office and UCLan's National Football Institute.
Under the plan, the museum's 15,000 item collection could also be made available to more people in the North West through exhibitions at local museums across the region.
County Councillor Driver added:
"I would urge those who understand the history of the national game - and the significant cultural and economic benefits the National Football Museum brings to Preston and Lancashire - to get behind our bid. "But this is now a matter for the board of trustees and we and the people of the county are waiting for its decision with anticipation."
"I would urge those who understand the history of the national game - and the significant cultural and economic benefits the National Football Museum brings to Preston and Lancashire - to get behind our bid.
"But this is now a matter for the board of trustees and we and the people of the county are waiting for its decision with anticipation."
The Preston bid is in competition with a proposal by Manchester City Council to relocate the National Football Museum to the city's Urbis exhibition centre.
It is understood that the board of trustees will consider the two bids at a private meeting later this month.
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