Bath and North East Somerset Council is poised to secure approval for its transformative plans to establish a new home for the Fashion Museum in the heart of Bath’s city centre. The proposal involves converting the historic former post office building at the junction of New Bond Street and Broad Street into an iconic cultural landmark.
Since vacating its previous location at the Assembly Rooms in 2022, the museum’s renowned fashion collection has been stored temporarily in a glove factory in Wiltshire. The new project aims to reunite the collection with the city by 2030.
The council’s planning committee will vote on the proposal on Wednesday, May 13. Planning officers have recommended approval, emphasizing that the significant benefits of the redevelopment greatly outweigh any potential drawbacks.
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Key features of the plan include creating galleries on the upper floors and a versatile exhibition space in the 2005 extension at the rear, which will be partially demolished alongside another extension to restore the building’s original courtyard. The ground floor will feature a spacious, welcoming foyer housing a museum shop with street frontage on New Bond Street.
The scheme also includes pedestrianising the end of Broad Street, transforming it into a vibrant public square with outdoor seating linked to a forthcoming café inside the museum.
Despite being a council-led initiative, approval is not guaranteed as the planning committee operates independently and has previously rejected major council projects. However, expert feedback on the Fashion Museum scheme has been overwhelmingly positive, with only one public objection citing concerns about local public transport connectivity.
The total estimated cost for the project is £54 million, which covers the building purchase, renovation, and public realm enhancements. £37 million is earmarked for renovation alone, alongside £8 million for acquiring the property and £7 million for creating the new public square.
Funding sources include the West of England Combined Authority, the National Lottery, grants, and donations, covering nearly half the renovation costs. The council plans to borrow £20 million, with £17 million of this offset by anticipated future museum profits and the remaining £3 million drawn from its operational budget.
Council cabinet member for resources Mark Elliott defended the investment, stating, “Delivering a world-class museum and enhanced public spaces for £54 million is a tremendous achievement. This project is much more than a museum — it is a beacon of civic pride, a catalyst for social and economic regeneration, a hub for education and craftsmanship, and a significant driver for Bath’s visitor economy.”
The planning committee’s decision will be made in the council chamber at Bath’s Guildhall at 10 a.m. on May 13, marking a pivotal moment for Bath’s cultural future.