We’re on an exciting journey with the Bloomberg project, which is all about overhauling our ticketing system, website and business processes to make life easier for both our visitors and our teams.
Our aim is to give visitors a frictionless digital experience – removing barriers to booking and payment – while providing our frontline teams with a system that’s easier to use, more reliable, and better equipped for the future.
Here’s what’s happened so far:
We reviewed a wide range of potential suppliers and invited eight to submit proposals.
From there, we shortlisted three for detailed evaluation.
After careful review, we’ve chosen Fusemetrix as our new supplier to replace our long-standing CRM/ticketing system, Tessitura.
At the same time, we’ve been improving our Tessitura data – removing 196,433 old records and tidying up over 60,000 postcode details.
Thank you to the Working Group for collating data and product requirements ahead of implementation.
What’s next:
Our official project kick-off with Fusemetrix is set for 1 October 2025.
More data cleansing in Tessitura.
Moving into the implementation with Fusemetrix, with a planned go-live in January 2026.
What this will mean in practice:
Easier booking and payment, with new payment methods available.
Online booking for more visitors, including voucher holders, travel partners and groups.
Integration with online ticket agencies, helping more people book with us.
A simpler journey for visitors, and for staff an intuitive, modern system with greater functionality to better serve our visitors.
Any questions contact Sam Davies at [email protected]
Category: General News
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Systems Project – Update
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Join us as we host Dudley Ageing Well Festival
As part of the Dudley Ageing Well Festival Week (29 September – 5 October), we’re celebrating later life and promoting ways to age well across the borough.Throughout the week, Healthy Dudley invites the community to take part in a wide range of fun and helpful activities: from crafts to coffee, wellness to walking, and digital skills to dancing. Thanks to all the community groups and organisations who have helped shape the festival, there truly is something for everyone.📅 Monday 29 September
🕙 10am – 3pm📍 Visitor Centre Atrium💵 FreeWe’ll be hosting Dudley Ageing Well Festival in the visitor centre on Monday 29 September, showcasing a variety of local services that support ageing well. The following organisations will be joining us:- Just Straight Talk
- West Midlands Police
- Dudley’s Fall Prevention Services
- Me, Myself and I – Dementia Carers Group
Come along to explore, connect, and celebrate ageing well in Dudley.For further information on the Dudley Ageing Well Festival, please contact the healthy ageing team on 01384 816437 or email [email protected]. -
Call Out: Large Cardboard Boxes Needed
We’re looking for large cardboard boxes to help with set dressing for our upcoming panto. If you have any spare (the bigger, the better!), please let us know or drop them off at People Office.
Thanks so much for your help! -
Notice: Hartill’s Offices Temporary Closure
Please note that Hartill’s Offices will be closed on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 September 2025 for scheduled electrical testing.
Teams based in Hartill’s will be hot-desking or working from home during this period.
If you need to get in touch, please contact team members directly by email.
Thank you for your understanding.
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Walk alongside Melanie and Lisa on the Hospitality Action Walk for Wellbeing
Last year we supported Walk for Wellbeing and helped them raise £140,000 to make a difference for thousands of hospitality families. Let’s walk the walk and make a positive difference together!Since 2020, this industry-wide 20km fundraising walk has seen thousands of hospitality people across the UK champion wellbeing and raise over £340,000 for Hospitality Action.Walk for Wellbeing is so much more than a fundraising walk. With mental health issues, the cost-of-living crisis, and fear of homelessness at an all-time high, the money Walk for Wellbeing raises will help:• Support one in two people with mental health issues that contact Hospitality Action for support.
• Deliver in-person and phone counselling sessions.
• Provide emergency grants to put food on the table.When you support Walk for Wellbeing, you’re promoting the importance of better mental health and wellbeing for everyone in hospitality while raising funds to power the vital work of Hospitality Action.How can you get involved?Take part in our ‘Bostin BCLM team’, as an individual, or with friends and family – all are welcome!Details:- Sunday 19 October 2025.
- 10am with registration at 9.30am.
- Location: Albert’s Schloss, Birmingham.
This engaging 20km walk includes green spaces such as the scenic Edgbaston Reservoir, and takes in parts of Digbeth, the city’s creative quarter, and some of Birmingham’s historic canal network. 20km is a significant distance, so come prepared to make the most of your day. Pack water bottles and snacks, wear suitable shoes and clothing (check the weather!) and have emergency contact details to hand.Let’s walk the walk and make a difference together, register your interest by email to; [email protected] or join Team ‘Bostin BCLM’ directly: Register now to set up your fundraising page -
CCF Update
Following the nomination process, we are pleased to confirm the appointment of Drew Rhodes as Colleague Consultative Forum (CCF) Representative for the Cleaning & Recycling Constituency.
Current CCF Representatives are;
ConstituencyRepresentative(s)SalariedLisa BateTracy LedwardHistoric CharactersEmily BanksGreg DunnBryce BealeyVisitor Welcome & Admissions1 x vacancyEnterpriseLisa EvansCleaning & RecyclingDrew RhodesCasualsMitchell RobertsonKit ProctorVolunteersKaren Griffiths1 x vacancyAs a reminder, vacancies still remain in the following constituencies;
- Visitor Welcome & Admissions x 1
- Volunteers x 1
The above vacancies will remain open and should a nomination be received, we will recommence the nomination process.
If you would like to be considered as a CCF Representative, you will need a colleague from the same constituency as you to propose your nomination and the name of another colleague, again within the same constituency, who seconds the nomination. To put yourself forward, please complete and return a nomination form to the People team (based in Hartills offices) either by hand, deposited in the black post box inside the entrance to Hartills, or via email to [email protected].
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Print Room folder clean-up and signage storage reminder
Dear colleagues,
A quick reminder that the Print Room folder in the Canalside office is not a place to store documents. Once you have printed what you need, please remove your files from the folder.
All existing documents in the Print Room folder will be deleted in one week, so please make sure you move any posters or signs you want to keep to a safe folder before then.
We also want to remind everyone about the Signage folder, which is where notices for visitors, menus, and programme posters are stored:
S:Signage
For your reference, a copy of the old Print Room documents has been saved in the Signage folder, just in case you need to check anything.
Finally, a big thank you to our IT team for helping make the Print Room more spacious, tidy, and easy to use.
Thank you.
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CCF Update
Following the conclusion of the nomination process for the Cleaning & Recycling Constituency, a nomination has been received for Drew Rhodes.As Drew is unopposed, in accordance with the constitution and terms of reference, cleaning & Recycling constituents are invited to endorse their candidature.Cleaning & Recycling constituents are therefore asked to email [email protected] by Monday 15 September 2025 if they have any reason to oppose the nomination of Drew Rhodes for their constituency. -
Keeping You Informed
As part of our commitment to clear communication, we’ve now installed a new noticeboard next to the clock-in machine by the Green Gate, where colleagues enter and exit the Museum. This board will be regularly updated with important Museum notices, including information about internal and external events, Museum operations, and more.If there’s anything you’d like to see included on the noticeboard, please email: [email protected]In addition to the new noticeboard, don’t forget we also share updates through the following channels:-
BCLM Intranet – BCLM Intranet
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BCLM Newsletter – sent out bi-monthly to all email addresses
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Planday – the homepage has recently been updated to include:
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A news feed with links to the intranet and How-to guides
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An events section to keep you up to date
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📸 See below for a preview of the updated Planday homescreen.
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Thank you – visit from Her Royal Highness Maha Putri (Queen) Maria Amor Leonora Torres Mastura, of the Sultanate of Magindanaw
During the summer we had the honour of hosting a visit from Her Royal Highness Maha Putri (Queen) Maria Amor Leonora Torres Mastura, of the Sultanate of Magindanaw.
Her Royal Highness enjoyed a tour of the Museum and was introduced to a range of our stories, from joining the 1910 women chainmakers in a strike outside the Workers’ Institute to witnessing an Edwardian school lesson. There was also an opportunity to stop and enjoy the Museum’s famous fish and chips, as well as graciously stepping behind the bar at the Elephant & Castle Pub to serve drinks to pub patrons and delegates.
We would like to extend our thanks to all colleagues who help made this visit a special and memorable one for Her Royal Highness. Particular thanks to the teams in the Elephant & Castle Pub, Hobbs’ Fish & Chip Shop and all colleagues who took part in showing Her Royal Highness our fantastic visitor experience.
Her Royal Highness has since sent on her heartfelt thanks to Andrew and all of the Museum team in the following letter:
Dear Mr Lovett,
It is with the greatest pleasure that I extend my sincere gratitude to you and your colleagues for so graciously hosting me at the Black Country Living Museum during my recent visit to the West Midlands.
The experience proved to be both enlightening and most enjoyable, offering me a profound insight into the rich history and enduring traditions of the Black Country. I was particularly delighted to immerse myself in the atmosphere of the Museum, to learn more of the remarkable heritage it preserves, and to see how lovingly it is presented to all who visit.I also wish to remark on the great pleasure I derived from partaking in the traditional fish and chips – a true highlight of the day – as well as the opportunity to serve behind the bar at the Elephant and Castle public house, which provided a most memorable and joyful moment of my visit.
Please extend my appreciation to all members of your team whose dedication and hospitality made the occasion so very special. I shall treasure the visit for many years to come, and I look forward to deepening the bonds of friendship and collaboration between your institution and the wider global community.
Alternatively you can view the full letter.