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Category: Key update

  • Building Closure

    Building Closure

    On Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 October, the Visitor Centre will be closed as we work to enhance the visitor experience. 

    We are making changes to the locations and layout of Admissions and the Museum Shop to support both functions, as well as to improve the visibility Café Black Country. Please note that the Visitor Centre will be closed to visitors and colleagues on both of these days.

    Visitors will be admitted through a temporary process on these dates – via Brook Entrance from Car Park One, or via a temporary unit on entry from Car Park Two (black shed). Visitors will then enter and exit the Museum via the black vehicle gates, which will be open throughout the day on both these dates. There will be no change to education or venue hire operations.

    If you have any questions about the move, please contact [email protected]

  • Body Worn Cameras

    Body Worn Cameras

    Continuing our commitment to enhancing colleague and visitor safety, we will be rolling out the use of body worn cameras over the next couple of weeks.

    Body cameras are being deployed to help reassure colleagues and visitors and help reduce and de-escalate any confrontational incidents. The cameras will also provide an accurate record of incidents, allowing for a fair and proportionate response, and provide evidence of any criminal acts for reporting to the Police.

    The cameras will be worn by a limited number of colleagues, including Duty Managers and Duty Leads. They will be used specifically for capturing footage of emerging or ongoing incidents involving visitor confrontation, such as aggressive, disruptive, offensive of threatening behaviour. Cameras will only be switched on for a limited time. For example, by the wearer on approach to an emergency call involving a visitor, or during an interaction with a visitor, when the interaction shows signs of confrontation. Cameras will be switched off again immediately after an incident has concluded or when it is apparent there is no cause for concern. Body worn cameras will not be used as a management tool to record colleague performance. Any footage taken will be uploaded as soon as possible to a secure folder and kept for as short a time as possible.

    If you have any queries or concerns regards the use of Body Worn Cameras, please contact Jon White [email protected] or Nick Sellers [email protected]

  • New Chair of the Museum’s Board of Trustees – Professor Martin Levermore

    New Chair of the Museum’s Board of Trustees – Professor Martin Levermore

    We’re excited to announce the appointment of Professor Martin Levermore as new Chair, following an extensive search. Professor Levermore will take up the role in October 2025, chairing a Board of Trustees of 15 with ultimate responsibility for the award-winning Museum’s operation, performance and development.

    Duncan Bedhall, Acting Chair since April 2025, said, “Martin greatly impressed the selection panel with his strategic clarity, vision, business experience and acumen, understanding of the Black Country and the role and contribution of the Museum to a better society. All that, much more and Martin’s humility made him the standout choice. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Paul Belford, Chair from 2020 and a Trustee since 2016, for his highly effective leadership. And as I return to the backbenches so to speak, I want to thank my fellow Trustees and Andrew for all their support and encouragement during my interim leadership of the Board.”

    Professor Levermore said, “I feel honoured, delighted and excited in equal measure to be appointed as the Museum’s new Chair. As a West Midlander and living in Bloxwich – deep in the Black Country – I have admired the Museum for a long time. I am so looking forward to working with my fellow Trustees on the Board and Andrew’s team to ensure the Museum continues to thrive. The Museum is an essential part of the connected tissue of our region, and I want to ensure it makes an even greater contribution to the innovation and national understanding of the Black Country, its future economic growth and prosperity, wellbeing and positive social mobility.”

    Andrew Lovett OBE, Chief Executive, said “What a pleasure it is to welcome Martin to the Museum; the seventh long-term chair since the charitable trust was established 50 years ago in 1975. I know Martin shares my belief that the Museum is a force for good in the service of the Black Country community and has so much more to give. I’m especially enthusiastic to draw-on Martin’s strategic thinking, regional reputation and deep humanitarian skills. I also want to add my heartfelt thanks to Dr Paul Belford and Duncan Bedhall for their support and leadership.”

  • Systems Project – Update

    Systems Project – Update

    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]

  • CCF Update

    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;

    Constituency
    Representative(s)
    Salaried
    Lisa Bate
    Tracy Ledward
    Historic Characters
    Emily Banks
    Greg Dunn
    Bryce Bealey
    Visitor Welcome & Admissions
    1 x vacancy
    Enterprise
    Lisa Evans
    Cleaning & Recycling
    Drew Rhodes
    Casuals
    Mitchell Robertson
    Kit Proctor
    Volunteers
    Karen Griffiths
    1 x vacancy

    As 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].

  • Print Room folder clean-up and signage storage reminder

    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.

  • CCF Update

    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.
  • Thank you – visit from Her Royal Highness Maha Putri (Queen) Maria Amor Leonora Torres Mastura, of the Sultanate of Magindanaw

    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. 

  • Thank you – visit from Her Royal Highness Maha Putri (Queen) Maria Amor Leonora Torres Mastura, of the Sultanate of Magindanaw

    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. 

  • Thank you – visit from Her Royal Highness Maha Putri (Queen) Maria Amor Leonora Torres Mastura, of the Sultanate of Magindanaw

    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.