Proposals for a new museum celebrating the history of Harwich have been submitted to council planners, according to news originally posted by www.eadt.co.uk.
The Harwich Society, founded in 1969 to help preserve the ancient seaport, wants to create a museum which will shine a light on the town’s heritage at the Anglia House building in Main Road. The site was once home to the Bernards Factory – which produced uniforms for 110 years until its sudden closure in 2007.
“The town museum is well placed to explain the Harwich story and display town heritage assets to future generations,” the Harwich Society stated in its application to Tendring District Council. “We consider our investment in this museum proposal will deliver social and economic benefits and complement other regeneration initiatives in the old town of Harwich.
They added: “The town museum will be a significant addition to the tourist offer and leisure facilities in the town, it will promote heritage, support education, historical research, create volunteering opportunities and generate footfall in the town.
“Our record with other managed buildings in the town is that the promotion of heritage adds to the quality of life in Harwich.”
According to the Harwich Society, the site is in an ideal location for those arriving in Harwich, and would work well for people wishing to link a museum visit with town tours, which help visitors to take in its historic highlights.
The application will be discussed by Tendring District Council’s planning committee.