Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) will join the National Museum of Science and Industry group (NMSI) in the new year to create a group that boasts visitor numbers of five million.
Rumours have circulated for a while about the merger, which will see MOSI become part of a group that includes the Science Museum in London, the National Railway Museum in York and the National Media Museum in Bradford.
Last year, MOSI bosses were told that the museum would lose all of its government funding by 2015. Interim chairman Peter Fell has said the move will secure the future of the venue, although reports have circulated that the merger will result in a staff review.
Commenting on the deal, NMSI Chair Douglas Gurr said: “MOSI holds exceptional collections housed in a landmark location and NMSI is delighted that such an important resource, both for Manchester and the country, is joining the NMSI group.”
Leader of Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said: “I’m sure the MOSI in Manchester's merger with the NMSI will be mutually beneficial and further strengthen our thriving museum sector, which makes a major contribution to the cultural and economic life of the city.”
In January of this year, MOSI completed a £9 million redevelopment of its Great Western Warehouse, including two galleries, a new conference centre and learning loft, catering facilities and a new gift shop.
The new Revolution Manchester gallery, which acts as a gateway to the museum's permanent collections, includes the UK's largest indoor media wall.
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