Cone getting spick and span
The Red House Glass Cone is getting a spruce up ahead of re-opening to visitors on Monday. (April 12)
The iconic structure got a once over today (Thu) when a cherry picker arrived on site to assess the brickwork of the cone. Structural Architects CTD have been appointed to carry out a full survey of the cone and provide a long-term plan for future maintenance.
Museums staff and on-site artists will also be getting ready to open up the visitor centre, shop and individual craft studios from April 12. The coffee house is set to reopen on May 17.
The cone itself and the exhibition spaces will remain closed for now, but visitors can make the most of the onsite studios, shopping opportunities and of course the outside space including the cone’s inner courtyard, canalside seating and benches outside the café. During lockdown the site has undergone a mini facelift, with internal and external decoration and new outside furniture.
Stuart Connelly, Head of Culture, Leisure & Bereavement Services, said:
We’re really looking forward to welcoming our visitors back. We’ve kept busy, preparing the site for re-opening and have made lots of learning resources available on our website during lockdown but we can’t wait to welcome people back through our doors so they can learn about the site’s history first-hand.
It’s good to have the cherry-picker on site, and the work the architects are doing will ensure we can keep the cone in the best possible condition for future generations to enjoy.
The site re-opens at 10am on 12 April. Opening hours are 10am – 3pm Monday to Friday and 11am – 4pm Saturday and Sunday.
To find out more visit https://www.dudley.gov.uk/things-to-do/museums/red-house-glass-cone/