Sadiq Khan has been asked by the London Assembly to give more support to the capital’s Migration Museum, which is trying to raise £20m as it moves into a new, permanent location.
The museum, which has been temporarily based in Lewisham Shopping Centre for the last four years, “explores how the movement of people to and from the UK across the ages has shaped who we are”.
From 2027, it will be based across three floors of a 21-storey building near Tower Hill, after refugee-turned property developer Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia agreed to give them the space rent-free for 60 years.
The museum is still trying to raise £20m to fit out the building and boost their digital infrastructure.
In a motion proposed by Liberal Democrat assembly member Hina Bokhari last week, the mayor was asked to “discuss and explore public funding options for the Migration Museum including the London Good Growth Fund and Crowdfund London”.
Ms Bokhari told an Assembly meeting on Thursday, November 7: “Migration needs to be celebrated. After the riots in the summer and the divisive rhetoric and dehumanising of immigrants and asylum seekers, we really need to have some positivity back now - welcoming people from around the world to this amazing city.”
Her motion also called on the mayor’s culture deputy, Justine Simons, “to meet with the Migration Museum in order to discuss their needs, and share expertise regarding fundraising strategy and opportunities for awareness raising in support of their £20m capital fundraising campaign goal”.
The assembly member added: “London needs a focal point for current and future generations to learn and understand the many individual stories that make our fantastic city.
“The Migration Museum has already achieved so much in educating students… With the mayor and the deputy mayor’s support, we can ensure that the museum is sustainable, effective, and continue its award-winning work.”
The motion received near-unanimous support, with City Hall’s Labour, Conservative and Green groups all joining the Lib Dems in voting for it. Only Alex Wilson, the Assembly’s solitary Reform UK member, voted against.
Approached for comment, a spokesman for Mr Khan said this week: “The mayor is pleased that the Migration Museum has found a permanent home at the heart of London.
“City Hall has worked closely with the museum over the past eight years and will continue to do so.
“Sadiq is proud to champion the capital’s many world-class museums and continues to work with institutions across the city to build a better London for everyone.”
