Councillor Anna Hindle, cabinet member for culture and arts at Preston City Council said: “The reopening of The Harris marks a proud and exciting moment for the city of Preston. This incredible transformation will not only safeguard our heritage but also create a vibrant, inclusive space that inspires creativity, learning and connection for generations to come.
“We’re immensely grateful to all our funding partners and can’t wait to welcome residents and visitors alike back through the doors of this much-loved building.
“The Harris Your Place project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of key partners. We gratefully acknowledge Preston City Council, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, UK Government’s Towns Fund, Lancashire County Council and Arts Council England. Their vital contributions have helped preserve The Harris for future generations while strengthening access, learning and community engagement.”
The city council say the Harris is due to welcome half-a-million visitors each year once open – which would be an increase on the 350,000 it used to welcome based on figures from 2021.
Helen Featherstone, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are proud to be supporting the Harris Your Place project, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. Working with Preston City Council, this exciting initiative will provide a sustainable home for the Museum’s collections, which will ensure that they are accessible for local communities and visitors to learn more about the city’s rich heritage.
“We know that heritage can play a huge role furthering a sense of pride in local communities which in turn can boost the local economy, and this project is sure to be a wonderful example of that.”
County councillor Matthew Salter, cabinet member for education and skills, Lancashire County Council, said: “We’re excited to see the Preston Harris Library reopening and back in this iconic building, which is such an important part of the community.
“That’s why we have contributed £1.375m towards the project and our refreshed library.
“This revitalised space will continue to house Preston’s biggest library and serve as a hub for learning and education for all residents.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to this wonderful space.”
The Harris refurbishment – spiralling costs and delayed openings
Work on the Harris has seen spiralling costs, due to asbestos being uncovered and the inflationary pressures since 2022 when work started. And these costs are now said to have ballooned to £19million on the latest estimate – the original project budget was around £10-11m and had increased to £16m as of last year.
Asked about the increasing costs of the project – the city council confirmed the additional £3million had been covered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund putting in half the money and the city council and county council putting in the remaining 50 per cent between them.
In total the Harris project is backed by a Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £6.3million, Preston’s UK Government Towns Fund contribution of £4.1million, the city council £3.6m, Lancashire County Council £1.4m and £3.8m came from public funders, trusts and foundations.
A spokesperson said: “The additional uplift has covered the added costs associated with the impact of a delayed programme due to the extended construction phase and original fit-out contractor going into administration.”
The planned fit-out of the grade-I listed museum was slowed when Beck Interiors, who had due to be undertaking the work, went into administration in September last year. A new fit-out contractor The Hub Consulting Limited took on the task and in February this year the city council would only commit to a ‘2025 re-opening’ date.
The Harris had been due to be complete and re-opened in late 2024 on its original time-scale but was pushed back to Spring this year and an update had been expected at the end of May with a re-opening date.
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