The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded £15 million towards the refurbishment and redevelopment of the Burrell Collection in Glasgow.

The funding support will help towards the £66m cost of refurbishing the museum, which will be upgraded to redisplay almost 9,000 objects once reopened in 2020.

Features of the scheme will include optimising spaces and visitor circulation throughout the museum by opening up all three floors of the building, developing flexible displays for the rotation of artworks and new spaces for temporary exhibitions, enabling digital access to the entire Collection and creating dedicated space for special exhibitions. Landscaped terraces will also connect the museum to the surroundings of Pollok Country Park.

Other highlights will see the fabric of the Grade A-listed building repaired, improving its sustainability, transforming it from a building with a large carbon footprint into an energy-efficient, modern museum.

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With secured and pledged income from over 100 different supporters, the Burrell Renaissance has to date raised over 80% of the project costs.

Chair of Glasgow Life, Cllr David McDonald, said: "The Heritage Lottery Fund has supported the development of Glasgow Museums for almost two decades and its significant investment has played a vital role in the success and growth of the city's cultural offer. With HLF's support and commitment, the Burrell Collection is once again a catalyst for change, driving regeneration of the historic and cultural heritage of Pollok Country Park, greatly enhancing the wider cultural offer Southside of Glasgow and playing an important role in the city's growing tourism offer by contributing to the economic impact tourism brings to the city."

Seona Reid, Deputy Chair of HLF and Chair of the Scotland Committee, said: "The Burrell Collection was one of the greatest gifts ever given to a city and the seed that helped Glasgow grow into the thriving cultural centre it is today.

"It is timely then that in a year when we are celebrating Scotland's History, Heritage and Archaeology, we are able to support such an important collection. Thanks to National Lottery players, it will be transformed so that it can continue to be a place of joy and inspiration for local, national and international visitors for many years to come."

(LM)