Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre is preparing to re-open its doors to the public once again after closing in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Museums were allowed to open from 4 July, but the decision was made to keep the centre closed until measures could be put in place to make the museum a safe place for staff and visitors.
The attraction will re-open the Muriel Barker Gallery, Doughty Gallery, the Galley Cafe and gift shop on Tuesday 11 August. Ross Tiger and the 1950s Fishing Heritage attractions remain closed until further notice.
A face covering must be worn inside the museum and galleries following the latest Government announcement, unless a person is exempt.
Several measures will be in place to make sure the centre is COVID Secure, including:
- Booking your visit to the galleries with reception staff on (01472) 323345
- Hand sanitiser stations throughout the building
- Hourly cleaning of high-touch areas through the building
- All payments in the shop cafe are to be made using contactless payment
- Floor markers and signage to advise on social distancing and directional flows on stairs and throughout the building
- Track and Trace details taken upon arrival
- Handling objects to be removed, including handling boxes, books, toys and costumes
- One-way route and social distancing to be observed throughout the free galleries
- Toilets amended for social distancing and hourly checking and cleaning of high-touch areas introduced.
Councillor Callum Procter, portfolio holder for tourism, heritage and culture at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s really important we try to get attractions back up and running again for the public to enjoy in a safe manner.
“Staff have been working hard to make sure Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre is COVID Secure and this means visitors should expect several measures to be in place to keep everyone safe.
“Social distancing, additional cleaning, hand sanitiser stations and time slots are just some of the measures being put in place to ensure the centre can open its doors and welcome the public inside once again.”
The centre has recently received £10,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Digital Confidence Fund to support the centre’s project focusing on developing new ways of engaging visitors with the museum collection.
New digital technologies will allow those who are unable to visit the museum in person the opportunity to experience Grimsby’s fishing heritage in exciting and innovative ways.
The centre also received £17,250 from Arts Council England’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Package aimed at supporting heritage and cultural organisations that have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak and the lockdown measures.
A project to create a multi-sensory loans box offer, bringing areas of the Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre to life in a portable loans service was created by the museum team, which will be loaned out to audiences and schools.
It is hoped the ‘Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre in a Box’, with artefacts, newly-commissioned local artworks, recordings of the fishing history, smell cards and activities, will help the attraction to engage with audiences and schools when people are unable to visit the centre.
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