Construction Set to Begin on Museum and Park Facility Upgrades

An extensive multimillion-pound enhancement project for a museum’s facilities is scheduled to commence. The construction phase at Preston Park in Stockton is slated to start on Monday, focusing initially on the expansion of its cafe and toilet amenities. Preston Hall, a 19th-century manor house with Grade II listed status, serves as the museum’s location and has been under the ownership of the local council since 1953. This initiative forms a component of a broader £20 million redevelopment scheme, which incorporates the addition of a two-storey extension to the museum and is projected for completion next year. The cafe is planned to feature an updated entrance and additional seating, alongside a covered outdoor area that will overlook the children’s play zone. A new structure will be erected to house new toilet facilities and accessible changing rooms; the current toilet block will be dismantled subsequent to the opening of these new amenities. The forthcoming two-storey museum extension, which will occupy a portion of the park’s green area, is designed to link with the present structures. This extension will incorporate spaces designed to host touring exhibitions within the region and will also enable the exhibition of hundreds of previously unshown local artifacts. Steve Nelson, who serves as Stockton Council’s member for health, leisure, and culture, expressed his conviction that the “major exhibitions and events in the museum extension will bring thousands more visitors to Preston Park, from the local area and further afield”. Progress on the project has seen the completion of roofing work, the construction of both floors, and internal walls. Additionally, the southern car park has been enlarged to provide an extra 100 spaces.