Museums And Archives

Charleston in Lewes: Strengthening Resilience, Serving Community, Safeguarding Collections

This project will transform Charleston in Lewes into a permanent cultural centre: safeguarding our internationally significant Bloomsbury collection; establishing the UK’s only National Bloomsbury Gallery and expanding access to heritage, learning and creativity. We will relocate the 15,000-item archive collection from vulnerable attic storage to a purpose-built, environmentally controlled Collection Store with free public access. By repurposing an existing building and transitioning to 100% renewable energy, we will save 185,000 tonnes of carbon and support sustainable access via green public transport, including the Sussex Art Shuttle and Bikes. We aim to engage 200,000 people annually, with 50% using free or concessionary tickets. A new 332 sqm Learning Wing will support 7,000 young people and 7,000 families by 2030, with half of family tickets reserved for local social housing tenants. Increasing earned income by £1m annually, the project will strengthen Charleston’s resilience and generate £4.2m for the local economy each year.