WIRRAL Council has approved plans to spend almost £1.3m upgrading its art gallery in Birkenhead.
The Grade II listed Williamson Art Gallery and Museum was built in 1928 and has 14 public exhibition rooms and a sculpture hall at ground floor.
It also has storage in its basement and first floor.
The proposals would see general improvements to the building, improved heating and environmental controls and conversion of the Central Gallery into a Visitor Centre and Cafe.
A report to the council’s ruling cabinet said: “The development of improved environmental control means that not only will Wirral’s own collections be correctly conserved and stored, but also that it will be possible to meet appropriate conditions to borrow items from other museum or private collections.
“The opportunity to offer these facilities opens the possibility of improving the range of items on display for visitors and increase visitor numbers.”
