A popular tourist attraction is embarking on its second major project within a year to further boost its visitor experience.
The historic bottle kiln was restored and a new ‘Story of The National Forest’ exhibition put in place at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum in Swadlincote earlier this year, leading to a sharp rise in visitor figures.
Now the West Street destination plans to further enhance its allure by building an outside playzone and environmental garden.
Aspirations include a new courtyard with a patio, imaginative play equipment and sensory planting.
Tony Hurrell, Chairman of the West Street museum, said: “Our vision for this vacant land is to create a safe and fun family-friendly space to enable children of all abilities to play together.
“Visitors and regular users of the museum have expressed a desire to be able to utilise this land and we are delighted that work is underway with the help of Cawarden, who are specialists in reclaimed and period building products.
Pictue shows: back row Gail Archer of the Tourist Information Centre, Matt Webster, Manager of Groundwork, Russell Idiens, Managing Director of Cawarden front row Leanne Northridge and Peter Willis of Groundwork
Work has now started on installing the patio on vacant ground near the coffee shop.
Paving bricks have been generously donated by Cawarden Brick and Tile in Rugeley and are currently being laid by unemployed young people from Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire's Landscape and Maintenance Team.
Kirsty Youngs, Managing Director at Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire, said: "Our Landscape and Maintenance team engages in a wide range of activities aimed at changing places and changing lives across Derbyshire.
“Improving the opportunities of young people and promoting sustainable living are at the heart of everything we do.
“We provide training and work experience for the unemployed by involving them in positive projects such as this to improve further their future job prospects and leave a beneficial mark upon communities for years to come."
The museum is awaiting conformation of external funding to carry out the rest of the works.
5 December, 2011