BROMSGROVE Museum is on track to reopen next year with ambitious plans in the pipeline to transform the building.

The Birmingham Road-based museum was closed nearly seven years ago by Bromsgrove District Council due, the authority said, to spiralling running costs and reduced visitor numbers.

The museum houses Dennis Norton's lifetime collection of thousands of artefacts, known as the Norton Collection.

Last July campaigners celebrated as the council's cabinet members voted to accept a £200,000 offer from the Norton Collection Museum Trust to buy the building - known as the Coach House.

A trust spokesman has told the Advertiser that following discussions a sum of £150,000 has now been agreed, and the trust was waiting for the council's finalised paperwork.

Following the reopening of the museum the spokesman said the plan is to seek a variety of sources, including lottery funding, so alterations can be made to the building, to improve the visitor experience.

The plans include a disabled lift, a new glass entrance and an education room.

A new 31 square feet extension is also planned that would be dedicated to The Bromsgrove Guild.

Artist's impressions of the alterations and extensions have been drawn up, with an application being submitted for consideration.

"As it stands at present the trustees have funds in the bank and pledges towards the purchase of the building totalling £110,000," the spokesman said.

"This leaves a sum in excess of £40,000 to be found.

"The trust believes the opening of the museum and the extensions plan will go a long way to helping to regenerate the town centre.

"We are delighted at long last to be reopening the museum for the benefit of the Bromsgrove public and the education of the next generation."

Anyone interested in donating money towards the campaign, or to become a trust volunteer, is asked to contact the trust’s secretary, Sandra Parker, by writing to 14 Waterloo Road, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, B50 4PJ.

A Bromsgrove District Council spokesman said: "The authority is working with the trust to enable the purchase of the building and reopening of the museum, in line with members' decisions."

The spokesman added that a reduced figure for the purchase of the building was agreed because the authority wouldn't have to pay for the dismantling of the collection.