- 22/11/2018
- Posted by: Lesley Griffiths MS
- Category: News
Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths has welcomed the conclusions of a Welsh Government feasibility study which has recommended that Wrexham should be the home of a new National Football Museum.
She said: “Establishing a dedicated national football museum at the rightful home of Welsh football is something I have long-called for and I am certainly pleased with the feasibility study’s findings.”
“Wrexham as a town is proud to be Welsh and passionate about football, which makes it the ideal location. I am certain the museum would be a thriving success, encouraging more visitors to the town and providing a major boost for the area in general.”
“The study’s recommendation is a positive step in the right direction. No final decision has yet been made but I have already spoken to Ministers and will continue to make representations to the Welsh Government in support of the development.”
The feasibility study, commissioned by the Welsh Labour Government, states the town of Wrexham has a legitimate claim to be considered the ‘spiritual home’ of football.
In 2000, Wrexham County Borough Council purchased the Welsh Football Collection with financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Football Association of Wales. The collection is stored and cared for by Wrexham County Borough Museum and used as the basis for regular exhibitions.
As a result, the study concludes Wrexham Museum to be a logical place to provide a home for a National Football Museum for Wales, also serving as a future hub for wider community outreach, learning and mobile exhibitions programmes.
It estimates the initial cost to create such a facility to be approximately £4.4m, and the additional running costs to support the proposed Museum are estimated to be in the order of £144,500 per annum.
The Welsh Government commissioned two feasibility studies – one for a National Contemporary Art Gallery in Wales and the other for a National Sport Museum for Wales. The findings of both reports will be debated by Assembly Members in the National Assembly next Tuesday (27 November).
