To develop cultural and creative industries sectors as key drivers in creating new employment opportunities in Scarborough.

The development of the Rotunda Museum as an iconic building and a museum of international importance.

The need to improve Valley Gardens as historically important gardens.

The need to rationalise the Museum and Gallery service to both improve the service and reduce cost and to make it sustainable for the medium to the long term.

What will happen to the Natural History/Archaeology collections during the refurbishment of Wood End and after the Creative Industry Centre opens?

The Collections will be moved into purpose built storage in the basement of the extension on Wood End which would include space for researchers and will be transferred into that space immediately it is available. Further exhibition space for the Museum and Gallery service (in addition to that at the Rotunda), will be within the existing Art gallery including the basement. Feasibility work on the best use of all exhibition space for the service within the Art galley building is being commissioned in the new year. However, it is clearly our intention to exhibit natural history, archaeology and fine art in that space as well as housing touring exhibitions.

What will happen to the permanent Art Gallery displays if Museums service collections are to be relocated into the Art Gallery?

Again feasibility work will be commissioned in the new year to determine the best use of all areas for exhibitions within the Art Gallery including the basement. The new store in the basement of the extended Wood End will be able to take the larger paintings which are currently stored on the wall and therefore this will free up additional flexible space within the Art Gallery. However, it is proposed to upgrade all exhibition space on the site and ancillary facilities including toilets/ cafeteria /access and therefore it is anticipated that there will be some collections from each part of the Museum and Gallery service on display whilst there will also be available exhibition space for touring products including Fine Art.

How much space will be allocated to Fine Art and other permanent collection?

This is still to be determined based on the feasibility work however, the total exhibition space available within the new revamped Art Gallery including the basement will be greater than currently available, will be more flexible and will be of a higher quality.

When will Wood End close?

Work will start on Wood End extension in April 2006, the conservatory and Sitwell rooms will be unavailable whilst the work is undertaken however, the remaining exhibition space downstairs and on the first floor to the east of the conservatory will be available to the public throughout the extension build period. The extension is anticipated to be completed by December 2006 and work will then begin on the original Wood End areas. This will result in the closure of Wood End from January 2007 until the new centre is open in April 2007.

Will there be any exhibition space in Wood End when it re-opens?

There will be exhibition space within the conservatory for contemporary works predominantly created within the Creative Industry workshops themselves. Therefore there will be limited space available for collections in the reception to show case other collections that are anticipated to be housed within the refurbished Art Gallery site. Businesses within the creative Industry space will also have access to the collections and they will also be accessible for education and training purposes.

Will the Sitwell rooms be available to the public?

The Sitwell rooms will continue to be used for training as they are now. The Library Collection will remain accessible to the public. However, there will be no access to the rooms during the new build stage, as that area will be closed off during work to the extension. Once the extension has been completed work will then be carried out on the exhibition space within Wood End which will once again stop access to the Sitwell rooms. However, once the new Creative Industry Centre is open it is anticipated that there will be managed public access to the conservatory and the Sitwell rooms.

Will the educational space be available to the general public within the Creative Industry Centre?

The educational space will be available to the public for general hire as well as use by the Museum and gallery service.

What is the cost of the project?

The cost for the Creative Industry Centre is approximately £5million and the majority will be funded from Yorkshire Forward and ERDF funding. The cost of the refurbished Art Gallery is to be confirmed. A funding package still need to be identified, and we are talking to major players.

Will there be a cost to enter the Rotunda and Art Gallery in the future?

The Council's policy on admission prices will continue throughout the development phase. However, once facilities are managed by Scarborough Museums Trust, pricing policy will be a matter for them.

What type of businesses are likely to be located in the CIC?

There will be a range of creative businesses within the space available. This will range from businesses / artists currently involved in Crescent Arts through to people working on high tec ICT developments, e.g. web design. The mix of these business is critical to the success of the Centre and therefore specialist management will be required to facilitate this process.

What about car parking?

There will be car parking spaces at the Wood End / Creative Industries site allocated to the work space. However, further car parking accommodation will be required in the vicinity for these work units. It is also anticipated that some space will be reserved for work volunteers on the collections.

What is Scarborough Museums Trust's position on the Creative Industries Centre?

The Trust believes that a first class museum cum gallery containing the best of both art and other collections (natural history ./ archaeology / social history, etc0 could be created in the Art gallery building, providing enough finance is available to modify the interior of the building and subject to the findings of the feasibility study. The Trust will relay the message that the whole package of the Cultural Quarter creates an exciting opportunity.

What needs to be done before this project can become a reality?

Funding applications are still to be confirmed to Yorkshire Forward and European Funding. Also planning permission is still required and an application is being submitted in the new year. Further feasibility work is being carried out on the financial viability of the project and therefore assurance is required by the Council that its facility will not be a drain on the resources to the ratepayer.

Scarborough Evening News 24th February 2006,  planning permission granted.