Mansfield Museum will be closing for five days from 1st to 5th September while work is carried out on the new Made In Mansfield gallery and the transformation of the arcade leading to the original building.

The gallery project, which received £304,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, will focus on the industrial legacy of the Mansfield District and the surrounding area.

It will feature artefacts, photos, film and audio on the past and present employers and industries of the town. These include Metal Box, Shoe Co, Mansfield Brewery, Barrs Soft Drinks, hosiery, precision engineering, mining, foundries and quarrying.

Made in Mansfield is aimed at all age groups and will offer family-friendly trails and interactive activities, including an electronic beer mat flipper, beer pumps that answer questions and a chance to design shoes.

The main part of the exhibition is due to be installed by the end of September and the new gallery will open on Thursday, 23rd October. More details will be available at www.mansfield.gov.uk as they are confirmed.

Coun Kate Allsop, portfolio holder for economic regeneration, said: “The new gallery will dramatically enhance the entrance to the Museum and improve the visitor experience. The Made in Mansfield exhibition will not only connect people with the great legacy of the town’s industrial past, but will also enhance the education sessions offered by the Museum to visiting primary schools.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closure of the Museum, while major work is carried out. However, the end result will be a fantastic addition to the museum’s arcade.”