Museum reopens after year-long closure for repairs

A tourist attraction in Leicestershire has reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony after a year of repairs.

Moira Furnace, a former ironworks on the Ashby Canal in Moira which is now a museum, has undergone £490,000's worth of work after being damaged by water leaks.

The renovated building, which dates back to 1806, has also had footpaths upgraded in areas of the surrounding park and woodlands.

North West Leicestershire District Council lead for business and regeneration, Tony Gillard, said the work will give "as many people as possible the opportunity to visit and learn more about this amazing structure".

Repairs had originally been planned before the Covid-19 pandemic at a cost of £225,000.

An "extremely difficult and lengthy process" involving Historic England coupled with rising costs more than doubling to total repair bill.

By January 2025 damage had made the museum "unsustainable", forcing it to close for more than a year.

Gillard said: "The building dates back to 1806 and is considered one of the best-preserved blast furnaces in the country.

"I'm delighted that we have been able to invest in the furnace and the surrounding area, carrying out much-needed repair work to safeguard the furnace as a historic local landmark and popular tourist attraction for generations to come."

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