The former Fleece Public House in Malton’s marketplace was identified as the preferred location for the new museum, through a feasibility study last year, funded by UK’s Shared Prosperity Fund (and supported by North Yorkshire Council) identified. This was strongly endorsed by key stakeholders and in three public meetings. The new museum aims to make a major contribution to Malton.

Liz Kemp, owner of Kemps bookshop said.

“The proposed relocation of the Museum and its collections to the Market Place in Malton would be of significant mutual benefit to the Museum, local businesses, and the wider community. The enhanced visibility and accessibility of the new site would naturally increase visitor numbers, boosting footfall in the town centre.”

The Museum has now been invited to submit a full funding application to the National Heritage Lottery Fund to undertake the renovation and extension to this long vacant Listed Grade 2 Building in the heart of Malton’s Town Centre.

Phil Crabtree (Chair of the Museum Trustees) said.

“Malton Museum is 90 years old this year and is dedicated to celebrating the very special history of Malton, Norton and the Surrounding area. It holds a nationally significant collection (of over 27,000 artefacts) dating from prehistory to the present day. Malton was the home of an important Roman Fort which was located at Orchard Fields and the part of the civilian settlement was located in Norton.

We want to help celebrate the special history of both towns and add to Malton’s growing reputation as a visitor destination as well as helping to support local business through increased visitor spending”

The full application to the Heritage Lottery Fund requires the museum to provide at least £60,000 in match funding which will contribute to the detailed surveys, designs and cost estimates which are essential steps to raising the rest of the funds and obtaining the necessary Listed Building and Planning consents for the new museum.

The total cost of the Museum is estimated to be in the region £6million. If the application is unsuccessful any monies raised will be used for the future running costs and projects with Malton Museum.