Project team announced for Re-Imagining the Harris

29 April 2020

Following last year's announcement of National Lottery development funding, we're now delighted to introduce the partner team for the ambitious Re-Imagining the Harris project.

Project Partners

Project partners are as follows:

• Focus Consulting (project management and business planning)
• Buttress Architects Ltd (lead architects and conversation planner)
• Direct Access Consultancy (access consultant)
• Ralph Applebaum Associates (interpretation designer)
• Emma Parsons Consulting (activity planning)
• Ridge and Partners LLP (quantity surveyors)

This team is working with us to develop the plans for our round two application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in November 2020. If we are successful in getting all the funding we need, we will begin the project in spring 2021.

Even in these unprecedented times, where following government advice the Harris had to close its doors to the public, the team is still busy working with project partners to continue planning.

The Harris has a new website with lots of online content, including virtual tours, so why not visit from the comfort of your own home!

Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to establish the Harris, as a cultural centre for Preston housing the UK's first blended museum, art gallery and library.  

For many local people the Harris represents Preston, a proud landmark on the cityscape. However it has the potential to be far more than an iconic building.

More than a century old, the Grade I listed Harris is at a significant point in its history, part-way through a journey of innovation and change in the role it plays in Preston, in Lancashire and beyond.

The project aims to create welcoming thoroughfares through the building by utilising existing entrance ways that are currently disused.

Visitors will be able to engage with the collections in a new way, not only in traditional galleries but also woven into other public areas such as cafes and activity areas. The Harris' ambition is to be a focal point for creativity and making, information and learning in spaces that celebrate heritage and promote wellbeing. 

Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader at Preston City Council, said,

"Following the generous support from National Lottery Heritage Fund for such an important project for Preston, thanks to National Lottery players, its wonderful news that we can announce the project team helping us achieve our vision for The Harris.

"Now the project can start to take shape and, depending upon funding decisions, enable the jewel of Preston to realise its full potential. I cannot wait to watch the transformation in the coming years and see it become even more important to the community it serves. 

The project will help further the regeneration of our city centre as well as benefit the local economy by one of our key anchor institutions."

Partner quotes

Focus Consulting partner, Steven Fletcher said:

"Focus Consultants is proud to have been part of the team that put together the bid for the redevelopment for this building, which is a proud landmark that has been at the centre of Preston's cultural and social life for 125 years and we are absolutely delighted to have been appointed to project manage the scheme going forward."

Neal Charlton, Director at Buttress Architects, said:

"We are delighted to have been appointed by Preston City Council to this significant project. Re-Imagining the Harris will enhance the role the building plays in the community and encourage more visitors to connect with its important collections in new ways. We look forward to working with the council and the wider project team to bring this exciting vision to life."

Managing director at Direct Access Consultants, Steven Mifsud, said,

"Direct Access are extremely proud to have been appointed the Accessibility Consultants for the scheme. Working alongside the Architects and Designers we will utilise our team of disabled people and NRAC Consultants to ensure that the museum can be enjoyed by all. This is an exciting opportunity to open up and turn a Grade 1 Listed site into an extremely accessible venue that promotes inclusion whilst not taking away from the original aesthetics of the building."

Phillip Tefft, Director, RAA London said,

"RAA is delighted to be part of the team delivering this transformational project. The Harris occupies an astonishing building at the heart of Preston's community. Our vision is to take the best of the Harris and shape it into a new kind of place. Together with our partners, we will create a destination that is a far cry from a traditional museum, library or gallery: a place that is dynamic and continually renewed by visitors, celebrates creativity and puts Preston squarely on the cultural map."

Emma Parsons, Arts and Heritage Consultant said,

"We are thrilled to be working on this project with the Harris team and are working to build a robust plan to engage yet more local communities with their work going forward. We work across the UK on Heritage Lottery projects but are all based in the North West so it's especially pleasing to have a project that's so close to our hearts."

Ridge and Partners said,

"Ridge is proud to be involved in the re-imagining of the Harris, a building which is not only historically significant, but also an important part of Preston's social and cultural heritage. We are looking forward to working with Preston Council to deliver a space the local community can enjoy."

Background information

• Development funding of £180,900 has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council to progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant in 2020 that, if successful, will enable the full realisation of the Harris project.
• The total bid of £4.7 million will support a £10.7 million project, which is backed by £3.6 million of funding in place from both councils, the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal, Arts Council England and local supporters. This will be further enhanced by the #HarrisYourPlace public fundraising campaign.
• National Lottery Heritage Fund 'Grants for Heritage' applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds.
• The Re-Imagining The Harris project has initially been granted round one development funding of £180,900 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £4,521,500.
• Using money raised by the National Lottery we inspire, lead and resource the UK's heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future.
• Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people's lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries - from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections.
• Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. 
• Following government advice about public buildings and Covid19 the Harris is currently closed to the public to protect our visitors and staff. Security of the building and collections is maintained on a daily basis.
• The Harris is one of the leading museums, galleries and libraries in the north west region, and is loved by local people. We have art collections of national significance, exciting activities and events for all ages and an award-winning contemporary art programme. Here you will find the Discover Preston gallery, which tells the stories of how Preston changed the world. We are also home to Lancashire's largest library, providing lending and community history facilities as well as ICT access and community activities. We are located in the heart of Preston in a stunning Grade I listed building, welcoming over 350,000 visitors a year.
• You can find out more and support the Harris' fundraising campaign for the capital project, #HarrisYourPlace.
• Visit Preston - located in the heart of Lancashire and the North West and with over 1,000 years of history Preston is a city that has much to offer.

Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate.

Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone.