Setbacks push museum reopening back to 2026
Ipswich Museum has been closed since 2022 for a remodelling which will include an additional gallery, new educational space, a new cafe, and an improved shop and toilets.
The project incurred £2.7m in extra costs, and, separately, rotten roof batons have been among discoveries in the Victorian building that have delayed the scheduled work.
"When you do such major works to an old building you are going to find things that you didn't expect, so we are determined to do it properly," said Carole Jones, the Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for planning and museums.
Inflation and supply chain disruption have contributed to the £2.7m overspend, the council said last week.
It was considering scaling back the project, but Ms Jones said the cost increase was given the "unanimous" support of councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday, with work continuing to the original plans.
The renovation had gone beyond its original estimate of £8.7m but was still within its budget of £11.8m, including £5.6m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Asked why the reopening was being set back, Ms Jones said: "It's simply that its such a precious building and such a wonderful collection, and this is a once-in-a-generation refurbishment, we want it done properly.
"Undertaking these construction works to a Grade II* listed building comes with an expectation that, in such a complex and significant project, some elements will take longer and require more work than envisaged.
"You'll see scaffolding covering the museum and a false roof - the builders have taken the roof off inside and removed the tiles for the first time since it was built and discovered things like some of the batons were rotten."
The council had hoped for a reopening in summer 2025 and had previously said it was unable to predict an exact date.
"I am hoping for Spring 2026," added Ms Jones.
"If there is something else they will have to see to that - but I am hopeful."
Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Inside 140-year-old museum during mammoth renovations
Uncertainty over museum reopening date
Ipswich Museum revamp £2.7m over budget
Ipswich Museum
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
11 hours ago
- Time Business News
How to Choose the Right Norwich Plumber
Sourcing a reliable local plumber in Norwich can feel like more hassle than the leak itself. You need a plumber who can attend on time, provide helpful information, and get the job done for a reasonable price. So, how do you identify the right plumber from the group? Follow the practical steps below to help you make the right choice. You don't need telling that pipes and heating matter, but it's easy to overlook how much is at stake until you're ankle-deep in water. Plenty of horror stories start with a 'cheap fix' that turned into a long-term headache. Protecting your home and cash starts with picking someone trustworthy the first time. 1. Proper Licensing and Insurance First things first: Is your plumber legit? Everyone says it, but how many actually bother to check? Ask outright for proof of licence and insurance. Any top-notch local plumber will happily show you their certificates, dodgy operators expect you not to ask. What's your licence number? Can you share it? Are you insured? Exactly what does it cover? If you sense reluctance or get vague answers, walk away. Your home isn't worth risking on someone who might not be qualified. 2. Relevant, Local Experience The best plumbers don't just fix pipes, they know the quirks of Norwich buildings. Our city is full of characterful old homes that often hide odd problems. Someone with years in the area has likely seen it all and won't be fazed by a Victorian radiator or piping that looks like spaghetti. Have they worked on jobs like yours? Can they handle both new installations and tricky repairs? Ask for Norwich-specific experience. Someone proud of their skills will be delighted to show you photos or put you in touch with a happy customer. 3. Reputation and Reviews Nothing beats word of mouth, even in the digital age. Don't just scroll for star ratings, read the actual stories. Did the plumber show up on time? Clean up afterwards? Stay calm when things got messy? Scan Google reviews, Nextdoor, Facebook groups Look for repeat customers praising the same strengths People rarely sugarcoat it if a plumber left chaos behind or added mystery fees. Trust your community's experiences over flashy adverts. 4. Transparent, Upfront Pricing A proper plumber tells you what you're in for before picking up a wrench. Be wary if you're given an uncomfortably vague estimate or are told 'we'll see what the job involves'—and then handed a steep invoice. Will you get a detailed written quote? Are any extras (parts, travel, emergency charges) included? What happens if they unearth a bigger problem mid-job? For anything more involved than a dripping tap, ask the plumber to look first and break down the cost, so there are no nasty surprises later. 5. Responsiveness and Availability Nothing adds stress like silence when the kitchen's filling up with water. How quickly does the plumber call or message back? Will they really answer an emergency at night—or just claim to be '24/7' online? Find out their real emergency response time. How soon can you get booked for routine work? A local Norwich plumber like Royal Flush Plumbing has the edge. They know the routes (and the traffic jams!) and are more likely to treat you as a neighbour, not just another call-out. 6. Guarantees and Peace of Mind Would you trust a tradesperson who can't stand behind their work? A solid guarantee, like a year's cover for repairs or warranties for installations, shows confidence. Make sure you leave knowing you're protected if anything goes wrong after the van's driven off. What's covered and for how long? Will the plumber come back quickly if a fix doesn't last? Shy away from anyone who dodges questions about guarantees. If the repair is good, there's no reason not to promise as much. Even Norwich has its share of cowboys. Keep your eyes open for red flags: No licence or insurance 'on hand' Prices that sound too cheap Hard to reach or slow to reply Demanding cash and refusing receipts It doesn't matter how friendly they sound, your home is on the line. Still stuck between a few possibles? Here's how locals whittle it down: Ask people you trust. Most folks are delighted to share a good tradesperson's number. Check trusted directories. Rated People and Checkatrade let you read real reviews and see how each plumber stacks up. Compare like for like. Get three quotes for exactly the same work. If one's much higher or lower, don't be afraid to ask why. Our city's plumbing challenges aren't like everywhere else. Many Norwich homes are genuinely old—meaning pipes that have outlived generations, and heating systems that sometimes have a mind of their own. Older properties: You need someone who won't damage historic features or get flummoxed by plumbing quirks. You need someone who won't damage historic features or get flummoxed by plumbing quirks. Hard water: Norwich's water can do a number on pipes and boilers. A good plumber knows how to tackle scale and fit softeners. Norwich's water can do a number on pipes and boilers. A good plumber knows how to tackle scale and fit softeners. Flood-prone areas: Certain spots here are susceptible to heavy rainfall. Ask if they can handle drainage, sump pumps, or waterproofing if that's you. Not all plumbers are created equal. Here's what stands out for Norwich: A real Norwich base. They aren't just a website, they've got an office or at least a local address. Upstanding reputation locally. When Norwich residents praise a plumber, that tells you plenty. Community-minded. The ones sponsoring local footie teams or taking part in charity events tend to value their reputation. Now you've done the research, go with your gut as well. A plumber who picks up the phone cheerfully, explains things patiently, and makes you feel confident is worth their weight in gold. When you choose wisely, you're not just sorting out a leak, you're building a relationship you can count on for the next emergency, upgrade or anniversary burst pipe (because, let's be honest, these things happen at the worst possible times). Having a trusted Norwich plumber on speed dial is one of those little things that keeps your home running, so you can get on with enjoying the city and everything it offers. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Ford government's changes to recycling will hasten landfill crisis, municipalities warn
Ontario's shrinking landfill space could run out faster than expected if the Ford government retreats from long-held plans to add two new blue box programs, warns the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. In a letter to Environment Minister Todd McCarthy, AMO president Robin Jones said the suggested changes — including the cancellation of new blue box programs in apartments and condos — would 'exacerbate Ontario's projected landfill capacity crisis, which is expected to reach its limit in less than 10 years.' Landfill controversy is already exploding in Dresden, a southwestern Ontario community where the Premier Doug Ford's controversial new Bill 5 could be used to fast-track the reopening of an inactive landfill site against community wishes — and potentially without a traditional environmental assessment. Posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario in early June, the proposals, if passed, would 'undoubtedly impact waste diversion rates,' Jones said in her letter. Ontario has a previously stated goal of 50 per cent diversion by 2030, which means the province would need to divert an additional 2.5 to 3.8 million tonnes of material, based on 2022 numbers from an AMO report. The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks suggested three significant changes, citing 'unanticipated' costs affecting producers: To reduce the materials going to landfill, the ministry proposed a percentage could go to 'energy from waste' — also known as incineration or, burning materials to create electricity. A spokesperson for McCarthy said the government 'heard concerns, particularly from small businesses, about unanticipated and unexplained cost increases to meet their obligations under Ontario's producer-run blue box system.' The changes 'will improve transparency' for all producers, said Alexandru Cioban, McCarthy's press secretary. But Jones said the government's proposed retreat undermines the goals of 'extended producer responsibility,' which basically means, 'If you make it, you take it.' Ontario's transition to extended producer responsibility is nearly complete, with producers taking on the cost of programs that collect and recycle the products and packaging they sell. These programs, administered by the not-for-profit 'producer responsibility organization' Circular Materials, take in hazardous waste and electronics as well as traditional blue box materials. In 2022, Ontario generated up to 15.5 million tonnes of non-hazardous waste, which is equivalent to 1.127 tonnes per person, according to AMO's Ontario Baseline Waste and Recycling Report. In Jones's July 7 letter, she said elimination of the planned blue box program in multi-residential buildings will create a 'fragmented 'two-tiered' system' where some Ontarians have access to recycling while others do not. 'Residents rightly expect robust recycling programs and environmental protection, creating an urgent imperative for municipalities to fill these public spaces service gaps,' she wrote. Large cities, she said, are adding thousands of new housing units and those residents 'will be left without access to the common recycling collection system.' Industry insiders say many municipalities stopped buying new trucks or upgrading recycling infrastructure because of the expansion plans. Now that those plans face the prospect of delays or elimination, municipalities are scrambling and will likely be forced to pick up the costs. 'This amendment,' said Jones, 'pulls the rug out from under existing plans.'
Washington Post
a day ago
- Washington Post
How major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 7/23/2025
U.S. stocks rose to more records following a trade deal between the world's No. 1 and No. 4 economies. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% Wednesday, setting another all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6%, also hitting a record. Stocks rallied even more in Tokyo after President Donald Trump announced a deal that would place a 15% tax on imports from Japan. That's lower than the 25% rate Trump had earlier threatened.
