BRADFORD’S Peace Museum has announced it has now raised enough money to start looking for new premises to house its collections, exhibitions and educational work. 

The museum - the only one in the UK dedicated to the history of peace - has been a part of the city for many years and it has been a long-term goal to move to a bigger and more suitable space.

Its current home, in Piece Hall Yard in the city centre, is not large enough to accommodate its growing collection and learning programme - and is located up 60 steps with no lift access - making it inaccessible.

In the hope of realising its dream to move, the museum launched a crowdfunding campaign in November last year as part of the #SupportOurMuseums initiative, to support its mission to become more accessible, spacious, and visible. 

This campaign was a huge success, and the Peace Museum has now begun the process of finding new premises.

In line with its pledge to become more accessible, the museum will not be reopening its galleries at the current site to the public as restrictions begin to ease. 

Instead, The Peace Museum team will be focusing on creating digital content to engage a wider audience, and making the new space accessible to all visitors. 

Shannen Johnson, the museum’s Learning and Engagement Officer, said: “Digital engagement has become so important to us over the past year, and we’ve been able to reach people who wouldn’t usually be able to visit the museum in person. 

“We’ve got so many exciting projects lined up for the next few months that people will be able to access online, and we’re really looking forward to trying things we’ve never done before.”

The next step for the museum will be deciding on a new site, and the team are keen to hear from anybody with an appropriate space. 

The Peace Museum has operated in Bradford for more than 25 years, and has important connections with the local area, so the museum is hoping to relocate either within the city or West Yorkshire.

The full new premises specification has more details and is available to view by visiting: www.peacemuseum.org.uk/news/new-premises-specifications. 

Anybody wishing to get in touch can contact museum staff at info@peacemuseum.org.uk.

As an independent charitable organisation, the museum says donations are more important than ever to ensure it can meet its potential in its new home. 
The team said they would not have been able to reach this stage without support from the public and they will be continuing to raise funds throughout the moving process.
 If people would like to donate, the museum accepts contributions online www.peacemuseum.org.uk/Appeal/Donate.
They can also be made by post to The Peace Museum, 10 Piece Hall Yard, Bradford, BD1 1PJ.