New cafe plan part of £1m Museum of Iron work

The cafe at the Museum of Iron in Coalbrookdale is being removed to make way for space for new exhibitions, with plans to build a bigger and better eatery nearby.

The work will cost more than a million pounds and will see the museum closed to visitors in autumn, reopening in Easter 2017.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has submitted plans to Telford & Wrekin Council for a change of use of the cafe and to make minor internal changes which will allow it to be able to expand its displays.

The changes are being made as part of a wealth of celebrations to mark the trust's 50th anniversary.

It is hoped that work to improve the exhibits will begin as early as the end of the year.

Paul Gossage, director of engagement at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, said: "We have some really exciting plans for Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron.

"We plan to create a new destination café under the Long Warehouse, where visitors, walkers and local residents can enjoy high quality refreshments in a fantastic setting.

"We also plan to refurbish Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron over the winter, with new exhibits and interpretation.

"The refurbished museum will tell the global story of how Coalbrookdale changed the world forever and will reopen in time for Easter 2017, as one of our Golden Anniversary celebrations."

As well as marking 50 years of the trust, 2017 also sees 300 years since the death of Abraham Darby I, widely recognised as the man who started the Industrial Revolution.

It is also 300 years since the completion of Dale House, one of the former Quaker Ironmaster's homes at Coalbrookdale, now a museum cared for by the trust and open to visitors.

Telford & Wrekin Council will decide on the plans in the coming months, which will make way for the work to begin.

Last month, The Friends of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust were given the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award given to voluntary groups across the United Kingdom, intended to recognise outstanding work done in the local community.

The Friends of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is one of 193 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the award this year.