Work set to start on Nicholson improvement project

Long-awaited work to redevelop the Nicholson Institute in Leek will start this month.

The £3.8 million improvement programme, led by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, will deliver major improvements to the Grade II listed building including:

• Refurbishing the entire lower ground floor and bringing it back into use as a flexible, multi-purpose space for events, activities, and community functions
• Redesigning the library to create an accessible, welcoming environment and support a broader range of services, events, and learning opportunities
• Significant modernisation of the museum to improve the visitor experience, create exhibition space on the top floor, support the rotation of the collections, and create stronger connections with library

Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, Cabinet member for Leisure and Tourism, said: "It's great to have reached the point where work is starting and I'm looking forward to seeing contractors on site.

"The improvements we're carrying out will modernise and enhance the museum and library facilities and services and restore the lower ground floor back to public use, whilst respecting the heritage and fabric of this historic and much-loved building.

"It's going to be an asset that our residents can enjoy and be proud of and will be yet another fantastic visitor attraction that will encourage even more people to come and visit us here in the stunning Staffordshire Moorlands."

The project is being funded by the UK Government and the District and County Councils. It's the third regeneration project in Leek to receive Government funding and follows the highly successful rejuvenation of the Butter and Trestle Markets which re-opened in 2024 and the major redevelopment of the health and wellbeing centre in Brough Park which is set to open in late summer.

The work at the Nicholson Institute follows the eye-catching restoration of the Robert Timmins murals on the north and south walls of the building which have been cleaned up and restored by specialist restoration company Lincoln Conservation.

The murals depict women reading, playing music, painting, and spinning and weaving with a Latin phrase that translates as 'skilfulness takes time, life is short' and date from 1912.

Published on 8 January 2026.