Major funding bid for permanent town centre presence submitted by science centre in Wrexham

A major funding bid which could secure the future of a science and discovery centre in the heart of Wrexham town centre, has been submitted.

As part of plans to expand its current offering, Techniquest Glyndŵr has submitted the bid to the Wellcome Trust under the ‘Inspiring Science Fund’. Co-funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Wellcome, the Inspiring Science Fund supports science centres across the UK.

It is a capital fund promoted by the Association of Science Discovery Centres that helps centres rethink what they do and what they offer to the public.

In February 2017 it was announced that Techniquest Glyndŵr had secured negotiations to take on an additional space in the former TJ Hughes on Henblas Street.

Rumours that Techniquest Glyndŵr were interested in taking over the empty property have been ongoing for several years. However February’s announcement confirmed that a 12 month lease had been secured – with plans to host a series of events and activities over the next year.

It is hoped that the events will signify the start of the ambitious plans of North Wales Science Limited, the charity that runs Techniquest Glyndŵr, to move its operational base to the building in the centre of Wrexham in 2019.

Seizing the opportunity to fund the development of a town centre base in Wrexham, North Wales Science, the charity that operates Techniquest Glyndŵr, submitted an initial proposal in October 2017.

Following consideration of the applications by the grant panel Techniquest Glyndŵr was successful in reaching the second round and was invited to submit more detailed proposals at the end of February.

On the day of the deadline the Chair of the Board of North Wales Science, Iwan Thomas formally submitted the detailed bid for funding and commented as he clicked the submission button.

The next stage will see Techniquest Glyndŵr invited to London to meet the Inspiring Science Grants panel in mid-June, when the team will be grilled over the details and feasibility of their bid with the successful organisations notified in July as to the outcome of their bids.

If the bid is successful, it will enable Techniquest Glyndŵr to operate a major science discovery centre from the town centre location.

Scot Owen, centre manager said: “We think we have made an excellent case for this funding, combining as it does, our desire to develop our operations in the town centre location but also complementing a variety of regeneration initiatives focused on the town centre including the Tŷ Pawb arts hub due to open in April.

“We have had great support from our local MP Ian Lucas, our Welsh Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths and AM Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport in the Welsh Government who have all written letters of support for our bid.

“Wrexham County Borough Council have also been extremely supportive providing input thorough a number of different departments to help us on our way.”

He added: “We are still interested to hear from any local businesses and industry who may wish to become involved with us and help with sponsorship.

“You can contact us via our website www.tqg.org.uk or by email [email protected] “

Techniquest Glyndŵr is currently bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative. Find out how you can get involved / offer your support, here!