The Museum of Royal Worcester cares for and celebrates 250 years of porcelain heritage. There are some things though, that don’t improve with age and its front doors are one of them.

The heavy old doors are draughty, awkward and temperamental. They’re of an age where replacement parts are no longer available and energy bills are creeping ever skyward.

The museum wants to retire its old front doors and replace them with a new quality disability-friendly entrance that will not only improve energy efficiency, but also help make the stunning collections more accessible to all, including wheelchair users and families with pushchairs. 

Museum director Sophie Heath said: “The Museum in Severn Street really is one of Worcester’s gems. Our staff and volunteers agree it is a pleasure to spend time in our historic building (a former Victorian school house), and welcome visitors to enjoy the stories of the people behind the porcelain.

“But our front-of-house team have started to complain of a breeze up their garters and a chill on their nose and have taken to wearing thermal underwear and woollen hats.

“Please support us with Operation Defrost the Museum, if you can, so we can raise the final 30 per cent needed for the new front doors to keep staff and visitors snug.”

The museum has already managed to raise 70 per cent towards the new doors with grants from Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust and The Hobson Charity.

 

 

 

Worcester firm, Joseph Woods builders has agreed the specification and undertaken final measurements on site ready to place the doors on order.

The newly launched #DefrostTheMuseum Crowdfunding Campaign invites local residents, former workers, trusts and foundation and supporters in the UK and across the globe, to donate the final 30 per cent needed by visiting the museum website, or by clicking here to donate.

Staff have come up with a range of special gifts to thank donors for their support.

£25 – Freshly brewed tea, coffee and biscuits on your next museum visit for two people, served on Royal Worcester.

£50 – selection of five new notecards of Museum of Royal Worcester archive bespoke designs.

£100 – £10 gift voucher to use in the museum shop.

£250 – one paint-your-own-pottery at home kit, containing everything you need to paint your own unique item.

£500 – one hour personalised guided tour by museum director Sophie Heath for up to five people, with refreshments served on Royal Worcester china.