Bristol Mayor proposes funding for new Bristol Aerospace Museum
A £0.5m contribution to the proposed Bristol Aerospace Museum to be based at Filton could be made by Bristol City Council if it approves a new proposal by Mayor George Ferguson as part of its annual budget setting process.
The museum has already received planning permission and it is hoped that Bristol’s support will give the final boost towards getting plans for the building off the ground.
The aerospace museum and learning centre will follow the history of Bristol’s great aerospace history as well as providing a permanent home for the world famous Concorde near the site where it was originally built in Filton and house a wealth of information about the aerospace industry.
Ever since the Bristol Aeroplane Company was founded in 1910, Bristol has been the birth place of a series of great feats of aerospace engineering, most recently with the creation of the Airbus. The site is also still used as a base for large engineering firms such as BAE Systems and Rolls Royce.
Bristol’s councillors approved a motion in September this year which asked for the city to lend its support to the venture. Having had many conversations about the possibility of a contribution from Bristol City Council the mayor is now proposing this capital donation as part of the council’s annual budget setting process.
“Following support at Full Council and a specific request by the Conservative group and approaches by regional MPs and the leader of South Gloucestershire, I am delighted to announce this proposal to help fund the construction of the Bristol Aerospace museum and learning centre. As the last resting place of the Concorde and a supreme record of Bristol’s Aerospace industry, the museum has the potential to be a major boost for tourism, education and the local economy.
“The Bristol region has long been a home for the British aerospace industry and it is only right that we pull together now with our partner authority, South Gloucestershire, and make the most of this great opportunity.
“I have very much wanted to see this museum become a reality. I believe in its potential to contribute to our mission as a learning city and to improve the lives of Bristolians both sides of the North Bristol border. After much hard work I am glad to say that we can now show Bristol’s commitment to the project and to working cooperatively across administrative borders." - George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol
The funding is proposed as part the next financial year’s draft Capital Programme and will add to the funding which has already been committed by South Gloucestershire Council and the National Lottery.