Tullie have confirmed that their grand reopening has been pushed back until Autumn.

The iconic museum and art gallery in Carlisle closed in December last year for redevelopment works, which when completed, will create a new entrance and welcome area, including a new ground-floor gallery.

However, with summer rapidly approaching, Tullie have suggested that Autumn is now a more realistic timeframe for a grand opening, although other aspects of the museum will be available throughout the summer. 

They wrote: "Staff and building contractors are working incredibly hard to make sure the new experience is completely right. Sometimes things take a bit more time than expected, and we're now planning to have our grand reopening in autumn 2024. This will be complete with a spruced up welcome area, all-new ground-floor gallery, community studio, shop and café.

"But fear not (and be just) football fans, the Backing the Blues exhibition, being curated with CUFC, will open on 20 July in our exhibition gallery. And Sunday opening is back, baby! For now, it’ll only be Backing the Blues that will be accessible, as we'll need to keep the rest of the museum closed off so we can continue working. Think of this as a pre-season friendly. There will also be a pop-up shop, coffee and cake to keep you fuelled, and a summer full of classic Tullie activity."

Images of what the new Tullie is expected to look like were published back in February, as Cumbria's leading museum aims to rejuvenate Castle Street and ensure that everyone can enjoy it, thanks to its new accessible entrance area. 

Lead designers De Matos Ryan said: "The visitor experience will be enhanced by connecting the various gallery destinations with a new orientation space and welcome building. The project will enable Tullie to grow its audiences, increase its financial sustainability, and further contribute to the city’s profile."

The Tullie Project was made possible with funding by the UK Government, including support from the UK Government’s Town’s Fund and Future High Streets Fund, as well as £2 million public funding from HM Government administered by Arts Council England.