TROWBRIDGE Museum is to stage a community reopening at 10am on Saturday, May 22 after virtually doubling in size.

An official launch reopening is being planned for the summer, museum spokeswoman Tessa Kerslake said.

Visitors will be able to return and discover the new museum following its £2.5 million redevelopment.

Visitors are being urged to attend on Saturday in designated timeslots of every 20 minutes and book via www.ticketsource.co.uk/trowbridgemuseum) to ensure that they comply with government guidelines.

The museum has been closed since July 2018, making way for the ‘Onwards and Upwards’ project.

The renovation and expansion of Trowbridge Museum was supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Trowbridge Town Council, The Friends of Trowbridge museum and others.

The museum has doubled in size by expanding up into the empty floor of Grade II listed Home Mills above the original museum.

The new museum will tell the story of Trowbridge, and reveal the heritage of its residents through new displays featuring new objects and interactive activities for all ages.

Designers Smith and Jones and architects Architecton joined forces to bring Salter’s Home Mills back to life.

Tessa Kerslake said: "The museum team have since watched on as Beard Construction made their plans a reality.

"They have uncovered original gnarled brickwork that has survived mill fires, and sympathetically restored the mill windows, which have flooded the space with light and made way for the innovative displays.

"At the heart of the redevelopment is the newly-built Learning Hub, which will enable the Learning and Outreach team to continue their outreach work within the Trowbridge community.

"They will develop their work with schools, the Lifelong Learning programme, hold history and craft workshops, as well as history talks.

"With its improved facilities and larger space, the team will be able to increase their programme and reach even more of the community.

"The Hub will also serve as a meeting space, available for hire to the public."

The museum is also now the home of a new Research Library hosting more than1,700 books, relating to the social history of Trowbridge and the development of the woollen cloth industry in the area.

Miss Kerslake added: "It's a unique resource that, alongside an online database on the museum website, will ensure that the town and wider region’s heritage is available to everyone."

From Saturday May 22, visitors will be able to return and discover the new museum, as well as explore the new exhibition space and shop featuring Trowbridge Museum products, history and craft books, and a range of gifts.