Lord Quirk opens new entrance for improved visitor access to Mary Rose ship hall

On the 6th of April, Lord Quirk, representing the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and The Wolfson Foundation, opened the new entrance Gallery at the Ship Hall. Cutting the ribbon, he described it as, ‘A splendid entrance foyer which has utterly transformed access and hence the entire visitor experience.’

Visitors to Henry VIII’s favourite warship the Mary Rose are now being treated to dramatically improved visitor access, especially for wheelchairs, large groups, including schoolchildren and the best view of the famous ship, following a £70,000 improvement to the ship hall in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard where she is currently undergoing an active conservation programme.

This complements the work to provide new, self-cleaning windows, ship lighting and audio commentary, providing the best experience of the Tudor warship since she was raised in 1982.
Lord Quirk, a Trustee of the Wolfson Foundation performed the official opening ceremony today by cutting the ribbon to the new entrance foyer of the Mary Rose ship hall. He stated that it was ‘a privilege to be there on behalf of the Wolfson Trust and Her Majesty’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport’ and expressed both gratitude and appreciation towards the staff of the Mary Rose Trust who had devised and built the entrance foyer.

John Lippiett, Chief Executive of The Mary Rose Trust explained: “We have welcomed over 7 million visitors to the Mary Rose and the warmth of our welcome continues to be excellent. However, access to the ship hall has always been challenging, especially for wheelchairs and we had little space to welcome larger groups, especially schoolchildren.”

“We are delighted now that this has all changed. We have dramatically improved the visitor experience of the Mary Rose with easy access to the spectacular views of the of the ship. These changes will hold us in good stead while we look forward to developing a brand new museum.”

Funding for the improvements was courtesy of Department of Culture, Media and Sport/Wolfson Foundation’s Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund. It aims to improve the quality of displays, public spaces, environmental controls and access for disabled visitors in museums and galleries across England.

A new entrance foyer to the Mary Rose Ship hall, with enhanced features for those with special needs was officially opened by Lord Quirk on 6th April.

 

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