Plans to relocate the Fashion Museum back to Bath with an extraordinary new home in the city centre have officially received approval. On May 13, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee granted permission to transform the Grade II listed former post office at the corner of New Bond Street and Broad Street into a striking new museum space. Construction is slated to begin next year, with the museum scheduled to open in Autumn 2030.
Paul Roper, the council’s cabinet member, described the approval as a pivotal milestone for Bath. “This project transcends just a new museum,” he said. “It represents a transformative investment in Bath’s cultural future—breathing new life into historic buildings, fostering inspiring spaces for learning and creativity, and securing a world-class collection for future generations.”
The refreshed Fashion Museum is projected to draw around 250,000 visitors annually and contribute £100 million each year to the local economy through increased tourism, job creation, and improved wellbeing. Bath and North East Somerset residents will enjoy free access through the discovery card initiative, echoing the policy for the Roman Baths, another council-managed landmark.
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The redevelopment plan includes thoughtfully designed galleries on the upper floors and a versatile exhibition area in the 2005 rear extension. Part of this extension will be removed to restore the original courtyard, while a spacious, inviting foyer featuring a museum shop with a prominent New Bond Street entrance will welcome visitors.
Though the planning application was submitted internally by the council’s heritage services department, it underwent rigorous scrutiny and was met with almost unanimous support from experts and the public alike—only one objection was recorded.
Endorsements came from prominent local figures, including two former council leaders now on the planning committee. Conservative Tim Warren (Midsomer Norton Redfield) praised the vision, stating, “I think it’s going to be beautiful when it’s finished.” Liberal Democrat Paul Crossley (Southdown) added, “This is an absolutely amazing proposal,” noting the rarity of a major city centre development facing virtually no opposition, a testament to the meticulous planning involved.
Rob Cambell, head of the council’s heritage and culture division, hailed the museum as a once-in-a-generation opportunity: “This is the kind of project that places wait decades for—culturally ambitious, economically sound, socially viable, and environmentally responsible. It preserves the long-term future of the Grade II listed old post office and transforms it into a vibrant cultural landmark in Bath’s heart—the city’s first major new museum in nearly 40 years.”
The Fashion Museum’s world-renowned collection features more than 1,000 garments spanning four centuries of fashion history. Since the National Trust reclaimed the museum’s previous home at the Assembly Rooms in 2023, the collection has been safely stored in a Wiltshire glove factory. Crossley remarked, “Ultimately, the National Trust’s decision has been a long-term benefit for us.”
The new museum is expected to generate 38 full-time equivalent jobs once operational, alongside approximately 165 construction roles during development.
In addition to the museum, council plans include pedestrianizing the end of Broad Street to create a vibrant new public square outside St Michael’s Church, complete with outdoor seating linked to the museum’s café.
Tom Emerson OBE of 6a architects, who designed the museum, expressed enthusiasm: “Achieving planning permission is a proud moment. We thank the hundreds of contributors who helped shape this project. Transforming the former post office continues Bath’s tradition of outstanding architecture, delivering a museum fit for today and future generations.”
The old post office building stands out as one of Bath’s few 20th-century Grade II listed structures in its historic centre and should not be confused with another “old post office” located at the opposite end of Broad Street, now converted into a Wetherspoons pub.