Alistair Hardaker | Image: A 2022 design for the Naval Galleries (Maytom Associates)
Royal Navy Museums proposes to sell its Vision Retail Park site in Hartlepool after concluding a £25m gallery expansion could not secure the funding required.
Royal Navy Museums has dropped plans for a £25 million gallery expansion in Hartlepool and proposes to sell the site it acquired for the project, after concluding it could not secure the funding required.
Royal Navy Museums acquired the Vision Retail Park in 2022 with the support of a £3.4m grant from Hartlepool Borough Council, a tranche of funding it now intends to return.
The site had been intended to provide space for a major expansion of the Museum, including a new gallery for Rescue Motor Launch 497.
But the museum said development work identified significant challenges associated with adapting the existing buildings, rising construction, staffing and energy costs, and the ability to secure sufficient external funding of £25m.
An external assessment of capital fundraising opportunities concluded that the likely funding available would fall substantially short of the level required.
Royal Navy Museums now says the proposed sale of the building “represents a responsible and strategic decision”, which will allow it to focus investment on its existing collection, historic ships and experiences.
The decision follows the museum’s 2025-2030 strategy, which commits it to reviewing its estate and choosing to “invest, rationalise or de-invest” according to outcomes for audiences, collections and stories, and places financial sustainability at the centre of the organisation.
Matthew Sheldon, CEO of Royal Navy Museums, said: “We are proud of what our partnership has achieved and look forward to continuing to work with the Council to create a thriving Waterfront that attracts visitors, creates opportunities and celebrates Hartlepool’s distinctive maritime story for generations to come.”
Councillor Rob Darby, chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s housing, growth and communities committee, said: “The opportunity to bring the site back into use alongside these developments has the potential to increase activity, strengthen the local visitor and economic offer and create job opportunities for our residents.”
The museum said it will continue to work with the council and Tees Valley Combined Authority as plans for the Waterfront develop.
