Dudley Council wants glass collection under one roof

Jun 3 2009 by Chris Henwood, Birmingham Post

A team of independent consultants is looking at creating a new Black Country museum to house the region’s world famous glass collection under one roof.

Dudley Council has appointed experts to investigate the feasibility of an enhanced visitor attraction in the heart of the borough’s historic glass quarter.

The glass collection is currently housed at Broadfield House Glass Museum, with some pieces on display at the Red House Glass Cone and other items in store at Himley Hall. The study will also inform the future development of the popular Red House Glass Cone and the display and management of the collections generally.

Coun David Stanley, cabinet member for environment and culture, said: “Stourbridge is world famous for its glass industry and Dudley Council wants to promote and celebrate it in the best way possible. This independent study will help us assess the most suitable way to do this.”

Nineteen consultancies were contacted and 12 responded. Five were selected to submit tenders and attend interview.

A team led by L&R Consulting, which specialises in tourism, the visitor economy and working with museums and heritage attractions, was appointed.

The feasibility study is made up of two stages. Stage one, which should be delivered by the end of July/early August, will look at the potential to develop a celebration of glass at the Red House Cone site to create a quality visitor experience.

This initial exercise will explore visitor markets, site opportunities within the leased and potentially leased buildings at the Red House Cone site and look at case studies of best practice elsewhere.

Depending on the outcome of stage one, the second stage would draw up preliminary plans for the museum looking at building proposals, the practicalities and the resources required to deliver it.