2024 just got better, as we recently received the news that our grant submission to Garfield Weston Foundation was successful!

As such we have been awarded a multi-year core costs grant of £50,000 over the next two years to fund our growing repairs and maintenance bills.

For us, it’s a lifeline to have foundations like Garfield Weston pledge grants on this level, as it takes such a lot to keep an old building up and running and open to the public. Our repairs are often unpredictable, so securing this grant means that emergency repairs won’t have as crippling an impact. Knowing that we now have a dedicated budget to spend on repairs means that we can focus on growing the museum and building on the success of the Coffin Works.

The Coffin Works Museum is a ‘Heritage at Risk’ success story, preserving the unique contents of the former Newman Brothers’ Coffin Fittings Manufactory in Birmingham. It’s Grade-II* listed and is the only surviving example of a purpose-built Victorian coffin furniture manufactory in the UK. The museum opened in 2014, has welcomed over 100,000 visitors and won 14 significant awards. Most recently this includes a ‘Highly Commended’ accolade for ‘Team of the Year’ at the Museum + Heritage Awards in 2023. This award recognised the work of the staff team in relation to increasing the museum’s financial resilience.

Sarah Hayes, Museum Director says:

“We’re always working tirelessly in the background to future proof the Coffin Works and securing grants like this is just one way that we care for our building. Once again, a huge thanks to Garfield Weston Foundation for supporting organisations like ours and recognising the value of heritage and what it brings to people’s lives. Moreover, thank you for recognising the hard work of people working in heritage and making our jobs that little bit easier with the ability to apply for grants like this one. You’ve made our year!”