Museum of Science and Industry

Visitor numbers at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester) increased by over a third in February following the launch of the redevelopment. Latest figures show there were nearly 100,000 visitors to MOSI during February 2011, compared to 66,400 during the same period last year, while catering and retail sales have flourished since the coffee shop, restaurant and gift shop reopened.

Revolution Manchester gallery showcases Manchester's greatest innovations. It includes the UK's largest indoor media wall and a unique 'digital chandelier', where visitors' photos appear amongst Manchester's icons of scientific and industrial achievement. The gallery officially opened on 29 January 2011, and marked the end of a major redevelopment of MOSI's Great Western Warehouse, its main introductory building for visitors. It includes a revamped and larger gift shop, new restaurant and coffee shop, and dedicated suites for conferences and education. There is also a new improved Experiment, the popular hands-on science gallery.

The Museum's new restaurant and coffee shop experienced exceptional sales since they reopened in October 2010. Some 65,000 drinks have been sold, as well as 1600 Eccles cakes and 4000 pizzas. The gift shop took £25,000 in sales in February this year compared to the same period during 2010.

Terry Hudghton, Head of Marketing and Business Development said: "We are delighted to see so many visitors back at the Museum. February Half term was very hectic. We've been getting some great feedback from Revolution Manchester and the redevelopment as a whole, and it's affected the rest of our business too. The new 4D theatre is proving incredibly popular and our Planetarium shows are selling out so quickly that we are looking to double the number of shows to meet demand."

He added: "Teachers really like the fact that the Learning Loft is on its own floor, and provides a secure and atmospheric space for children, while conference clients can have the benefits of meeting in a unique space, which includes part of the digital chandelier but is also separate from other visitors."

MOSI relies on government funds for 75% of its income but in the next four years management are expected to find alternative sources of funding. A key aspect of increased revenue is expected to be increased sales from commercial activity, corporate sponsorship and individual donations.

Funding for the redevelopment project has come from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the Garfield Weston Foundation, the SITA Trust, and a number of other trusts and foundations.

The building work for MOSI's redeveloped Great Western Warehouse was carried out by John Turner & Sons, Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams were the architects and property consultant Drivers Jonas Deloitte acted as project managers for the scheme. Kin design and 24 Design are responsible for design and build of Revolution Manchester gallery.

For media enquiries please contact: Sarah Roe, MOSI press and publicity officer on Tel: 0161 606 0176, m: 07847 372647

Notes to editors

• For more information on museums and galleries in Manchester:

Creativetourist.com is an online magazine, a series of city guides and a collaborative project that has been put together by Manchester Museums Consortium, a group of eight museums and galleries - Cornerhouse, Imperial War Museum North, The Lowry, Manchester Art Gallery, The Manchester Museum, (MOSI) Museum of Science & Industry, People's History Museum, and The Whitworth Art Gallery - in Manchester.  These venues have a dual vision: the desire to stage intelligent, thought-provoking and international exhibitions and events and to celebrate the city in which they live, work and play. Creativetourist.com, with its mix of exclusive features, interviews, arts news and city guides, allows readers to discover more about what's happening in the city, uncover its outstanding cultural programme and collections, and perhaps come to be as passionate about Manchester as its inhabitants.

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