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The opening of Leicester’s Jewry Wall Museum, undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment, has been postponed. Originally set for January next year, the transformation project now faces delays until the summer due to further setbacks with contractors.
Work on revamping the museum began in 2021, but progress has been hindered by a series of challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the collapse of the initial contractor, NMCN. More recently, the second contractor, Elmwood Projects, went into liquidation, further complicating the timeline. Elmwood was responsible for the design and installation of exhibition elements, including mosaic displays, object mounts, and audio-visual features.
Despite these disruptions, Leicester City Council reported that construction work had been progressing well. However, the sudden closure of Elmwood Projects will inevitably push back the museum’s opening date. Richard Sword, the council’s strategic director for city developments and neighbourhoods, acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. He noted that the collapse of two major contractors on the same project was highly unusual but highlighted the challenging environment for the construction industry, with multiple companies affected by financial troubles.
The council remains hopeful that the issue can be resolved with minimal impact on both the opening date and overall costs. While the initial £7m budget has already soared to over £11m, estimates now suggest the total cost could reach £15.5m by the time the project is completed.
The Jewry Wall Museum, situated near the remains of a Roman bath house dating back to around AD160, closed its doors to the public in 2017 after Vaughan College vacated the site. Since then, Leicester City Council has been working on transforming the building into a modern attraction, aiming to bring the stories of Roman Leicester to life. Despite the latest setback, the council remains committed to delivering the ambitious project.
