National Science and Media Museum, Bradford, reopening plans

The iconic building temporarily closed in June last year to undergo a major revamp as part of the £6 million Sound and Vision project, which is being supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The museum will reopen in time for the start of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture (Image: The National Science and Media Museum) It had initially been expected to reopen this summer - but this was pushed back due to unforeseen delays in the excavation of a new passenger lift.

Now, designs show the museum's reconfigured foyer, opening up a huge public space with a new welcome desk and seating as well as a redesigned shop and the new lift, as can be seen below.

The iconic building has been closed for more than a year but it will soon be back open to the public (Image: The National Science and Media Museum) Jo Quinton-Tulloch, director of the National Science and Media Museum, said: "We're looking forward to welcoming visitors back into the museum in January just as Bradford takes on the role of City of Culture. 

"It's going to be a momentous year for the district, and we've planned a fantastic line-up of exhibitions, festivals and events.

"With an enhanced public programme, newly-revamped spaces and improved accessibility including a new passenger lift, we're ready to welcome many more visitors in 2025 and beyond."

The National Science and Media Museum first opened opened in 1983 (Image: The National Science and Media Museum)

The building will reopen with a new temporary exhibition in January, with more details to be revealed soon. 

Visitors will also see the return of the popular interactive Wonderlab gallery, along with the IMAX - the biggest cinema screen in West Yorkshire.

As part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme, award-winning art group Marshmallow Laser Feast will create what has been called an "immersive installation", launching in April 2025.

A spokesperson from the National Science and Media Museum said: "The installation will take visitors on a multimedia ride through time and space, exploring who we are and what makes us human. 

"With Bradford running through its DNA, the experience has been inspired by Born in Bradford, a major research programme that has been tracking the lives of more than 40,000 people across the district since 2007."

The Sound and Vision galleries will launch in summer 2025, celebrating all aspects of the museum's permanent collection including photography, film, audio, animation and gaming.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for healthy people and places, said: "It's really exciting to see the National Science and Media Museum announce this vibrant programme of exhibitions and events along with the re-opening of the Wonderlab and IMAX.

"With the addition of the Bradford Science Festival and the opening of the new Sound and Vision galleries next year, it will play a key part of the district's cultural offer for 2025 and beyond.

"It will be a key destination for residents and visitors to the district to enjoy and will be a fantastic educational resource for schools.

"It is another example of the regeneration that is taking place in our district to put Bradford on the map."