Tourist attraction could get £2.4m upgrade

A tourist attraction in Leicestershire could get a new visitor centre and better parking facilities as part of a £2.4m upgrade.

North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) is in the early stages of planning the second phase of a regeneration scheme for Moira Furnace, a former ironworks on the Ashby Canal in Moira, which is now a museum.

The museum, which dates back to 1806, reopened in April after undergoing £490,000 worth of repairs to damage caused by water leaks.

NWLDC said the works were only the first phase of a three-phase scheme to make the attraction "a major tourism asset".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said as much as £2.4m could be invested under the second phase of the project, which could involve building a visitor centre featuring a cafe, storage facilities and improved parking with electric vehicle charging points.

Play facilities and canal structural safety works could also be included in the scheme, the LDRS added.

Mark Scothern, chair of Moira Furnace Museum Trust, told councillors during a recent scrutiny meeting that facilities at the attraction "were a bit tired".

He added: "I think the site is getting to a point now where it is reaching capacity and it's on the brink of needing some expansion and development."

According to plans, phase three of the scheme could include a new "basement entrance area", as well as "monument interpretation and illumination".

NWLDC cabinet members will meet to discuss the proposals on Tuesday before recommending them during a full council meeting.

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