Image: Hull Maritime Museum (Hull City Council)
Fit-out has begun at the museum which has pushed back its reopening after roof restoration delays
Hull Maritime Museum has announced that it will now reopen in spring 2026 following a major restoration.
Over the past three years, Simpsons of York have been working with Hull City Council and architects, Purcell, to restore all the architectural features inside and outside of the building.
This has been made possible with funding from Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project was last set to open in late 2025, however Hull City Council now says the project will complete months later in early 2026.
A spokesperson for the council told Advisor that “contractors have worked incredibly hard on the building but, like any large-scale regeneration projects, some areas have required further attention.”
Delays have included the growing task of replacing the building’s entire roof, which was first thought to need restoration only in some areas.
“The investment made by the council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a significant one and we will not compromise on quality of this Grade II* listed building,” the spokesperson said.
The project will next see Macron complete fit out and installation of new displays, set to introduce new technology including immersive projections, films and a planetarium.
Once the displays are in place, collection items will be unpacked from storage displayed in purpose-built cabinets. This phase of work will take approximately a year to complete.
The 40ft North Atlantic Right Whale skeleton will return in spring 2025 following conservation and will be remounted in the new look gallery. The popular and much-loved Erik, the polar bear will also return.
