Visitor Centre and Glass Museum

Last year a lottery bid was submitted for the construction of a new glass museum in the town centre, celebrating the contribution made by Pilkington Glass (established 1826) to the growth of the town. It was to be on the North bank of the canal, on the flat area of Chalon Way car park, incorporating the site of the old Cone House and being linked to it by a new bridge. Sufficient clearance was left below the bridge for navigation in the future.

The bid failed because it did not take into consideration the other factors which helped to shape the town - the coal mining, metal, pharmaceuticals and chemical industries, the canal, and railway. Whilst the glass industry has been prominent in recent years, it would not have been located in St. Helens had it not been for the pre-existence of some of these factors... It was suggested that if these could be introduced into the design of the proposed museum, then the funding would be made available.

Provision was therefore made for exhibition space to cover these areas, with the history of the canal to be displayed along the bridge which joined the two sections across the canal.

The bid was re-submitted and was successful, but included a change to the bridge. (See the plan and artist's impression opposite). Whereas it had previously been enclosed in glass walls and thus gave opportunity for the promised canal display, it is now described as being "open to the sides". This will clearly not be a suitable place for an exhibition area. It is assumed that there will be alternative space provided for canal displays if the agreement is to be honoured.

As BARMERE would be both a fitting exhibit in its own right, could also be adapted to provide exhibition space within its hull, and was envisaged originally as complementary to this development, we are once again putting forward proposals that she be incorporated into the heritage centre.

Peter Keen

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