The Crewe Heritage Centre has received a £1,200 grant from the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) and the Pilgrim Trust to enable it to carry out an audit of the collections in its care.

The grant allowed the centre to employ professional conservator Peter Meehan to review its collections; he will also provide expert guidance on the best way to care for the objects in its collection.

Results from the audit highlighted why the collection is so special, with its large range of artefacts displayed and stored both indoors and outdoors. The audit also provided useful advice on the best way for the centre to care for them effectively.

Among the recommendations provided to the centre was how to support the long-term care of the collection, including such things as advice on managing light and humidity.

Recommendations were also made on how the display of objects could be improved while still being protected and remaining accessible for visitors to enjoy.

Some objects were found that would benefit from additional conservation work or need close monitoring. That information has been used as the basis for a new plan to conserve the objects in the collection, as well as defining a programme that sets out clearly the order of work.

The recommendations arising from the audit will help determine the way in which future conservation efforts are prioritised. They will also improve the chances of success when applications for funding to care for individual objects are made in the future, and improve the way in which the collections can go on public display.

The Crewe Heritage Centre has expressed its thanks to AIM for supporting this work, which is largely invisible to the public as it is carried on behind the scenes. The funding will also help to ensure the collections continue to be well cared for, so visitors can continue to enjoy them now and in the future.

In March, the Crewe Heritage Trust received a £22,500 grant to restore green space and biodiversity at the Crewe Heritage Centre. The centre is already experiencing record numbers of visitors after reopening for the 2026 season in April, with the Advanced Passenger Train Exhibition already generating strong interest, and demonstrations at Exeter West signal box further enhancing the visitor experience.