Fashion Museum Bath secures £7.2m National Lottery Heritage grant

Plans to create a new home for the Fashion Museum Bath have received a major boost after £7.2 million of National Lottery funding was secured.

Bath & North East Somerset Council announced today, Tuesday 4th August, that The National Lottery Heritage Fund had approved the grant to help progress the museum’s development inside the Grade II-listed former Post Office in Bath city centre.

The funding follows the award of planning permission and will support work to transform the prominent building into a new cultural destination, with the museum expected to reopen in 2030.

Construction is currently due to begin in late 2027.

The new museum will display more of its nationally significant collection than was previously possible, spanning fashion from the late 16th century to the present day.

How the proposed Fashion Museum could look | Image © B&NES Council

Items range from the Silver Tissue Dress, dating from the 1660s, to work by designers including Mary Quant, Alexander McQueen, Phoebe English and Bianca Saunders.

A new digital catalogue will also be developed, giving researchers, students and fashion enthusiasts around the world greater access to the collection.

Councillor Kevin Guy, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “This grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund marks a transformational moment for Bath and comes hot on the heels of the recently secured planning permission for the new Museum.

“This project represents far more than capital investment. It will breathe new life into a landmark building, create opportunities for local people, support young people’s skills and creativity, improve accessibility, strengthen Bath’s visitor economy and enhance one of the city’s most important public spaces.

“At a time when many places are scaling back ambition, Bath is investing in its future – combining heritage, culture, economic growth and public realm improvements to create a more vibrant, inclusive and prosperous city.

“The progress achieved over the past year provides strong confidence that both projects can deliver lasting benefits for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”

The grant will also fund a pre-opening programme offering local people skills training, education and work experience linked to careers in design, making, marketing and entrepreneurship.

The programme is being developed with organisations including Bath Spa University and the London School of Architecture.

Designed by architects 6a, the museum is intended to become one of the first in the UK to meet the EnerPHit standard for the sustainable refurbishment of existing buildings.

Stuart McLeod, director of England – London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said the project would create a world-class home for one of the UK’s most important fashion collections.

He said: “This is a once-in-a-generation project that will transform the Grade II listed Old Post Office, ensuring its heritage is conserved and reimagined for future generations.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, this investment will not only restore an historic building in the heart of Bath but create a world-class home for one of the most significant fashion collections in the UK.”

West of England Mayor Helen Godwin said the funding would help make the collection available to people around the world online while supporting the museum’s move to the Milsom Quarter.

The award follows a £768,000 development grant provided by the Heritage Fund in March 2025, alongside investment from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Further fundraising will be led by the Fashion Museum Foundation through a new philanthropic campaign.

A programme of talks, events, consultations and community outreach is planned across Bath and North East Somerset before the museum opens.