A £7.2 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will play a pivotal role in restoring a beloved tourist attraction to Bath.
The Bath Fashion Museum, renowned for its extensive collection showcasing four centuries of fashion history, was closed in 2023 after the National Trust reclaimed its previous home at the Assembly Rooms. Since then, its world-famous garments have been carefully stored in a glove factory in Wiltshire.
Thanks to this significant lottery funding, plans are underway to relocate the collection to a state-of-the-art facility within the city’s heart. Bath and North East Somerset Council aims to transform the historic Grade II listed old Post Office building on New Bond Street into the museum’s new home. The revamped museum is anticipated to attract around a quarter of a million visitors each year.
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Stuart McLeod of the National Lottery Heritage Fund commented, “This is a once-in-a-generation project that will transform the Grade II listed old Post Office, ensuring its heritage is conserved and reimagined for future generations. Thanks to National Lottery players, this investment will not only restore an historic building in the heart of Bath but create a world-class home for one of the most significant fashion collections in the UK.”
Council leader Kevin Guy highlighted the city’s forward-thinking approach: “At a time when many places are scaling back ambition, Bath is investing in its future - combining heritage, culture, economic growth and public realm improvements to create a more vibrant, inclusive and prosperous city.” He added, “This grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund marks a transformational moment for Bath and follows the recent planning permission approval for the new museum.”
The approved plans include purpose-built galleries upstairs to display the collection and a foyer with a cafe and a shop on the ground floor. This redevelopment is linked to proposals for a new public square at the bottom of Broad Street, which will provide outdoor seating for the museum café.
Work on the conversion is scheduled to commence in late 2027, with the museum targeted to reopen in 2030. Once operational, it is expected to generate £100 million annually in regional benefits through increased visitor spending, employment opportunities, and positive health and wellbeing impacts. Residents of Bath and North East Somerset will enjoy free access with a discovery card, similar to arrangements at the Roman Baths, also managed by the council.
The museum’s collection features exquisite pieces such as the silver tissue dress, a rare matching bodice and skirt from the 1660s, alongside creations by renowned designers including Alexander McQueen.
The National Lottery funding covers approximately three-quarters of the £39.5 million refurbishment cost, with additional support from Bath and North East Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority. The council has committed to financing £20 million through borrowing, with the expectation that operating profits will cover £17 million of this over time.
It is worth noting that the old Post Office building is among the few 20th-century structures in Bath’s historic city centre to receive Grade II listing. It should not be confused with another former post office closer to the opposite end of Broad Street, recently converted into a Wetherspoons pub.