Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum has received the funding
The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum, situated in Widnes, Cheshire, has secured a substantial £1m funding boost from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The financial injection is dedicated to broadening the centre’s reach, stimulating enthusiasm about the significance of chemistry, delving into Widnes‘ storied chemical industry past, and how it has molded current society.
Since its inception in 1987, the charity has been commemorating the region’s chemical industry origins and its global resonance through unique programs, engaging hands-on exhibits, and expansive archives that document its industrial heritage. An inclusive destination, Catalyst invites guests from the nearby communities as well as from afar, hosting bespoke events targeted at schools, families, and SEN groups throughout the year.
Thanks to the £1,009,930 grant given by the Heritage Fund, eight new employment prospects will be created in Widnes, while also providing funds to revamp parts of the museum. Moreover, an extensive activity strategy will be rolled out to enrich the experience for both locals and tourists.
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Nikki Mallott, CEO of Catalyst, shared her thoughts on the pivotal role of the chemical sector in Widnes’ history: “Widnes is proud of its chemical heritage. The industry that developed here has had a significant impact on the chemical industry worldwide and on the products we use every day. It has shaped the town, the wider North West region and the rest of the world and we’ll be using this funding to help more people understand not only its inception, but its relevance to the modern world.
“We believe we are the only museum in the UK dedicated to chemistry and by offering an immersive experience for schools, families and communities, we’re able to engage with guests about science, the history of science and what it means for industry. As a charity, we get no government or local authority funding, so this money is transformative in helping us to reach more people with our story.
“The future development of Catalyst will be made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and thanks to the National Lottery players, we will be able spread the word about the rich history of chemistry in the region and the influence it continues to have today.”
Catalyst plans to use half of the £1m grant to refurbish two floors of the museum to showcase the history and heritage of the chemical industry from the 1800s to the present in a fresher, more engaging and more accessible way. This includes the top floor Observation Gallery with its 360° views of the surrounding area including the River Mersey and two Halton bridges, which will be revamped with brand new interactives such audio handsets.
A portion will be used to digitise the important and extensive Archive to both protect and make more widely available in digital form.
The remainder of the grant has been earmarked for an extensive activity plan including workshops, events, open days and resources aimed at connecting audiences to the chemical industry in a new and meaningful way.
“Local people and groups had a great deal of input into the bid to ensure it represented what they wanted to see. Catalyst is both a visitor destination and a community hub. We want locals to see our café and exhibition space as a place to come together and connect over industry, heritage and everything else they have in common,” adds Nikki. Catalyst is one of 15 transformative projects that have been awarded a total of more than £30 million by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in celebration of its 30th anniversary.
These funded projects will offer opportunities for local communities to acquire heritage skills, make a positive impact on the environment and biodiversity, and encourage the regeneration of the UK’s built heritage. Together, they will directly create 87 jobs and apprenticeships and over 620 volunteer roles, equating to more than 10,000 volunteer hours.
Visitor numbers are expected to rise across all projects, with an anticipated audience of 1.28 million in the coming years. In total, they will provide over 17,000 public engagement and 18,000 heritage engagement and educational opportunities, and lead to the redevelopment of over 1.06 million m2 of land, from riverscapes to castles, including the planting of over 100,000 trees.
Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, expressed: “These wonderful projects demonstrate the astonishing breadth of heritage that people value and want to pass onto future generations, from a Victorian workhouse to the famous Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs, and from one of the UK’s historic ports to our precious riverside habitats.
“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players over the last 30 years, we have worked with those who care for heritage and helped transformed the UK’s heritage landscape, contributing to communities and the economy. Our funding benefits all parts of the heritage ecosystem, including visitors, volunteers and the communities which surround it, and I cannot wait to see what the future brings as we work to deliver our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”
