The Trustees of Foxton Inclined Plane Trust were thrilled to learn of the success of its major Arts Council funding bid.
The Arts Council’s Renaissance Strategic Support Fund will contribute to a total project budget of £193,000 that will support a major reinterpretation project to which the Trust is contributing £10,000. The project will increase the number of visitors to the site and Foxton Canal Museum, as well as boosting ticket revenues and visitor spend.
The ‘Revealing the Treasures of Foxton Locks‘ project will include a new interpretation strategy with trails, guides and audio and digital enhancements, an interactive website portal, improvements to and full re-curation of Foxton Canal Museum, interpretation panels installed at key sites with QR and ER code links, the creation of a 3D digital model of the boat lift, as well as the installation of a local wifi network.
The Arts Council bid was led by LeicesterShire Promotions with support from The Canal and River Trust, Foxton Inclined Plane Trust, Foxton Canal Museum, Leicestershire County Council and Harborough District Council.
The Foxton Locks project forms part of the ‘Blueprint for Tourism’ proposed by LeicesterShire Promotions for the Harborough district. The Blueprint is being delivered by Harborough Promotions, the local public and private sector tourism partnership.
James Clifton, enterprise manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: “This is fantastic news for Foxton Locks and we are delighted that this money has been awarded. Foxton Locks is really popular with thousands of people coming to see the locks every year. This funding will help us bring its history alive in a fun and interactive way and hopefully show visitors why the locks are so special.”
Councillor Blake Pain Leader of Harborough District Council said: “News of this funding is extremely exciting. Foxton Locks is a real jewel in the district and anything that improves the already excellent tourism offer is to be welcomed.”
Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “I’m pleased that the Arts Council’s investment in this project will support the re-telling of Foxton Locks’ industrial history through the use of creative and digital technology. I look forward to seeing how these digital developments capture the interest and imagination of new visitors to the site.”
Keep up to date with developments of the project on the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust website here.
