Trowbridge Museum is asking people in the town to say what they would like to see included in its expansion plans.

The museum was due to be moved to Courtfield House, in Polebarn Road, in 2016, after receiving a grant last year from the Arts Council, but in May town councillors had a change of heart and voted to keep it in The Shires shopping centre.

Plans are now being put together for the museum to expand to the upper floor of its home in the former Salters woollen mill, ahead of a round one application being submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund in February next year.

However, residents are being encouraged to take part in a questionnaire available on the museum’s website and from the museum and give their opinions on what they would like to see included.

Museum curator Clare Lyall said: “The aim is to find out what sort of museum people want and we are very interested about hearing ideas from members of the public. It will be our 25th anniversary next year and it would be great to tie it in with the expansion.

“We really want to highlight the rich industrial heritage of Trowbridge. The views of the town from the floor above the museum are amazing, especially when the natural light floods in, so it would be ideal for what we want to do.

“We have been putting together a funding bid to submit to the Heritage Lottery Fund in February 2015 and we are currently consulting with the public about what they want to see.

“We have already held consultations with community groups to get their responses and we also have an online survey which people can take part in and give us feedback on.”

The museum also has access to the roof and is looking at the potential of creating a rooftop café and garden.

Mrs Lyall added: “The first stage of the expansion will mainly be concentrating on the upper floor and getting a new lift, as well as an outside door for when The Shires is closed. Once we submit the round one application in February we will hear if we are successful around June and then the development phase will begin.”

The consultation on the Trowbridge Museum will run until November 21. For more information, visit www.

trowbridgemuseum.co.uk or call in to the museum.