Blackpool Council has secured £478,000 in funding to carry out essential repairs and upgrades at the Grundy Art Gallery. The investment will help protect the historic Queen Street building and its £5 million art collection, while ensuring the venue can continue hosting major exhibitions as the town competes for the title of UK City of Culture 2029.
The funding package includes £121,000 from the UK Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund and £357,000 from Arts Council England‘s Museum Estate and Development Fund. This money is part of a broader government initiative to support cultural infrastructure across the country, which aims to improve access to local arts and heritage.
Work on the building is set to take place between 2026 and 2028. The planned improvements include replacing ageing boilers, upgrading electrical systems, and carrying out necessary structural repairs to the walls and roof of the Grade II listed Edwardian baroque building. These upgrades are designed to enhance the environment required to safely display world-class artwork.
The gallery is currently showcasing Claude Monet’s 1872 masterpiece, The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil, which is on display until 13 June 2026. The council has confirmed that it will carefully plan all repair work to minimise disruption so that local residents can continue to attend exhibitions and community events throughout the project.
This investment supports the gallery’s ongoing programme plan, which is backed by the Arts Council with funding confirmed until 31 March 2028. The improvements come as the local authority continues its bid for the 2029 City of Culture title, a competition that highlights the role of art in driving community change.
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