Manchester Museum saw more than 50,000 visitors through its doors during its reopening week, it has revealed. Pictures of the queues of people heading to the beloved attraction went viral on social media last week.
That many schools were on half term helped bolster numbers, with 52,000 people in all heading to the Oxford Road institution. Esme Ward, the director of the museum, dropped a string of emotional tweets last week, thanking the city for its support.
The museum has been closed since 2021, when it shut its doors to embark on a huge, £15 million refit. A completely new wing and two-floor extension has been built, along with its new permanent South Asia gallery and the Chinese Culture gallery.
Read more: Inside Manchester Museum's £15 million transformation
In addition to this, there’s now a new cafe, picnic area, reception hall, gift shop and prayer rooms, as well as educational suites and collaborative office space upstairs.
Ward told the M.E.N: “We’re absolutely thrilled and pinching ourselves that over 50,000 people visited the museum in our first week. It’s been a joyous week, with so much excitement and learning across the museum.
“It’s clear just how much the museum means – and we hope will come to mean – to so many people. It’s a huge milestone for us to be open, but of course it’s only the beginning. We can’t wait to welcome more people to the more inclusive, imaginative and caring Manchester Museum.”
In a statement, she added: “The reopening marks a huge moment in Manchester Museum’s rich history as we open our doors following a major transformation. We have extended the building, making room for more joy and learning and evolving into the Museum Manchester needs.
“Beautiful new galleries and exhibitions will showcase the best of the Museum’s historic collections, as well as addressing the urgencies of the present day and highlighting the complexities of our world.
“We have also listened to advocates with lived experience, and inclusive new spaces and features are incorporated throughout. We are delighted to welcome our visitors back.”
Among the forthcoming events in the spring programme are a lecture from David Olusoga OBE on the Spring Equinox on March 16, a film night, as part of the Museum Lates series on March 8 and a celebration of Ramadan starting on March 29.
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