Fundraising dinner celebrates completion of new Liverpool Museum

by John Maher. Published Fri 12 Feb 2010 16:39

A fundraising dinner was held at the Museum of Liverpool last night to celebrate the building's completion.

Professor Phil Redmond, chairman of National Museums, hosted the event in the venue's huge People's Gallery.

The museum - which is the largest purpose-built in Britain for over a century - will now be fitted out before opening in spring 2011.

Prof Redmond said: "The current emptiness of the galleries reveals the enormous scale of the project to date and just how much we have achieved so far, but work doesn't stop here.

"The building is looking great, but work starts in earnest next week when the fit out of the galleries begin, and the really exciting part starts."

Once open, the £72m museum will be split between the four key themes of Port City, Global City, People's City and Creative City.

Its exhibition centre is designed for "change and flexibility" and there will be faster turnarounds for community exhibitions, in an attempt to attract repeat visitors.

Prof Redmond encouraged locals to get involved. He said: "It is hoped this event will bring people on board who recognise the importance of arts and culture in Liverpool."