THE PRIVATE company on the verge of turning the Coors Visitor Centre into a national brewing museum has received unanimous backing, the chairman of an action group set up to save the attraction has revealed.
Former Burton College principal Keith Norris, who is a member of the group which hoped to save the former Bass Museum, in Horninglow Street, said the group had already met the company and was ‘really pleased’ with what it had heard.
Mr Norris said he could not reveal the identity of the company involved, but said the latest plans had received the group’s ‘unanimous backing’.
The Mail exclusively revealed yesterday that the proposed new partner wants to turn Coors Visitor Centre, which shut last year, into a national museum — although exact details surrounding the plans are to be released next week.
Molson Coors spokesman Paul Hegarty revealed the brewer was in ‘very constructive talks with a company that specialises in running visitor attractions’ and that discussion were ongoing.
Mr Norris revealed that further information would be released jointly by Molson Coors, the steering group and the private company, but said: “The committee has been a part of the plans for a while now but has had to remain confidential.
“We have met with all parties, and we unanimously agreed to these plans as we all think we have got a better chance to improve the museum and make it more attractive than it was before.
“The committee has been working right from the start to get the museum open again and make it viable and sustainable.
Companies came forward but were not appropriate for the site.
“The fallback we had was to turn it into a charitable status, but we had limited access to external funding.
“However, we kept putting on the pressure and gained more confidence, so we are really pleased that we have managed to keep it on the agenda.
“We knew it would be difficult to come to a conclusion when we first set up the steering group, but we have remained quietly confident.
“I think the reaction from the people of Burton will be really positive. They may have been fearful before, but now I think they will be overjoyed by the news.
“From the committee, we are really pleased it is important to get the museum open and that this has been achieved.
“I wish to pass on my thanks to the committee and in particularly MP Janet Dean who formed the group, as well as Coors, and in particular John Polglass, who have also been very helpful.”