Reopening date confirmed for National Science and Media Museum

Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum will reopen to visitors on 8 January 2025.

The museum temporarily closed in June last year to undergo a “once-in-a-generation transformation” with major changes to the building as part of a £6m capital project called “Sound and Vision”, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Improvements include two new permanent galleries, a new passenger lift and enhancements to the main entrance.

Visitors will be welcomed back into the attraction’s new foyer, which has been updated to provide a more flexible and welcoming space.

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, director of the National Science and Media Museum, said: “We are happy to be reopening the museum on 8 January and can’t wait to welcome visitors back into the building.

“With newly transformed spaces, improved accessibility and exciting additions to our public programme, it marks the beginning of an extraordinary journey for both the museum and our community.

“As the year unfolds, we will unveil more exciting improvements to the museum, culminating in the summer with the launch of our spectacular Sound and Vision galleries.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be reopening the museum with the backdrop of an amazing Bradford 2025 programme, making this a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

Helen Featherstone, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “It is incredibly exciting that audiences will be welcomed back into the National Science and Media Museum in January as their doors reopen.

“In 1995, the museum was one of the first transformational projects in Yorkshire that received funding from the Heritage Fund, and after 30 years we have supported the museum again with the new Sound and Vision Galleries.

“Showcasing key objects and stories from the museums world-class collection, the new galleries are due to open later in the year, ensuring the museum will be a star attraction of Bradford City of Culture 2025.”

As part of the museum’s regeneration project, vintage arcade Games Lounge has been relocated and transformed into “Power Up”.

Opening in March, Power Up is still a hands-on gaming experience, but it provides a refreshed offer designed to engage visitors of all ages.

It will include a BAFTA Young Game Designers section, where visitors are invited to play previous winners’ titles and learn about the next generation of game design, as well as an opportunity to discover more about the history of the arcade.

The museum’s new Sound and Vision galleries will open in summer 2025, featuring permanent displays of the museum’s world-class collections of photography, film, television, gaming and sound technologies.

The galleries will take visitors on a journey through the explosion of media technologies, and their impact on our lives.