Established in 1830, in Cockermouth, Cumbria Thomas Armstrong (Construction Limited) will start work on the new museum site on the shores of Windermere this month.

David Atkinson, Managing Director of Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd, said: "As a Cumbrian company we are proud to have been appointed by Lakeland Arts to construct the new Windermere Jetty. We have worked with the client and their design team to develop the scheme and look forward to working on this prestigious project. The completed museum will be a glorious addition to Cumbria’s tourist attractions."

A Groundbreaking ceremony on Friday 20 November will mark the start of a eighteen month build and fit-out programme. The museum is due to open in 2017, ready for the Lake District’s summer season.

Martin Ainscough, Chairman of Lakeland Arts, said: "We are delighted to appoint Thomas Armstrong as the main contractor and look forward to working with them to build the world-class museum in a famously beautiful location on Windermere. This is a major step towards opening the museum to the public so that everyone can enjoy seeing the historic boats on display in the exhibition galleries and on the lake."

Award winning architects, Carmody Groarke were selected to design the Museum through open international competition organised by the RIBA and it received planning approval in June 2013.

Andy Groarke, Partner Carmody Groarke Architects said: "We are delighted that the construction of the Windermere Jetty is about to begin on site. This marks the final exciting stage in the process of designing and realising Lakeland Arts’ vision for new museum, which is important to this beautiful setting and the ongoing care of the collection that it will house."

Steve Ratcliffe, Director of Sustainable Development for the Lake District National Park said: "This marks an historic milestone for the redevelopment of the steamboat museum and I am delighted to see it progressing. It’s opening to the public will, hopefully, coincide with World Heritage Inscription for the Lake District in 2017. As a quality build that respects its lakeshore surroundings and is accessible to all by sustainable transport from around the lake, I truly expect it to epitomise our Vision for the National Park."

Windermere Jetty will secure the future of the nationally significant boat collection established by George Pattinson. The new Museum will include displays of steam launches, motorboats, yachts and other vessels and tell the stories of their construction, owners and use on Windermere.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: "It is wonderful news that a contractor has been found to build the new Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories, especially a contractor with roots in Cumbria. The museum is quite unique as a working museum that will bring to life the stories behind Windermere’s proud history of boat-making. I cannot wait for the new building to open so I can have a look myself at Lakeland Arts’ fantastic collection of historic boats. I am grateful for the support the Heritage Lottery Fund continues to give to Cumbria."

Martyn Heighton, Director of National Historic Ships UK, said: "These are inland and Lakeland craft of truly national and international significance, as reflected by the investment which the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund has made in this collection. The stunning design of the linked buildings are of a scale and style that will complement the boats housed in them and give visitors a real sense of place. Once open, this will be a “must see” heritage attraction."

Windermere Jetty will be a working destination committed to conserving, saving and sharing the collection. A conservation workshop, where visitors can watch boat builders and apprentices work on the collection, will be a fascinating and ever changing part of the visitor experience. At the heart of the Museum will be the Boathouse where boats will be displayed on the water.

Windermere Jetty will celebrate life on the lake and actively involve visitors in the crafts and traditions that built the boats. The Museum will offer an inspiring programme for visitors of all ages. A new learning centre is central to the development which will also have a café with stunning views in the magnificent and unique setting of Windermere.

Lakeland Arts has raised £16.5m towards the final project costs of £16.7m. Significant support has been received from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £12.5m and the Regional Grant Fund, £1.75m, as well as many individual donors, trusts and foundations.

Sara Hilton, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: "This is a milestone moment for Lakeland Arts. As its main funder, we’re hugely encouraged that building work is about to start at Rayrigg Bay. Steamboats have always been integral to Lake District history and, thanks to National Lottery players, this much-anticipated new museum will now bring to life stories of local boatbuilders and their families."

Lakeland Arts continues to fundraise for Windermere Jetty and seeks the support of individuals and organisations to complete the project. Donation opportunities continue through the One Million for the Museum Endowment Fund and Windermere Jetty Build Campaign.

Gordon Watson, Chief Executive, said: "Windermere Jetty is a very exciting new development for Lakeland Arts and is a fitting addition to our portfolio of attractions Abbot Hall Art Gallery and the Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry in Kendal, and Blackwell The Arts & Crafts House in Bowness-on-Windermere. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to support us to complete Windermere Jetty and open it as a fabulous new heritage attraction."

Windermere Jetty will add to Cumbria’s rich heritage and cultural offer and the investment adds to the visitor economy, currently worth over £2.bn in Cumbria.

Notes to editors

About Lakeland Arts

Lakeland Arts is one of the most significant arts and heritage organisations in the North with a national and international reputation for the quality of its historic buildings, museum and gallery collections and programming. In an area of outstanding natural beauty, Lakeland Arts is a regional distinctive organisation, with sites at the gate-way and within the heart of the Lake District. Lakeland Arts is a diverse organisation with an exceptionally good portfolio of attractions: Abbot Hall Art Gallery and the Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry in Kendal, Blackwell The Arts & Crafts House and the new Windermere Jetty in Bowness.

About Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories

Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories will replace the Windermere Steamboat Museum which opened in 1977. The museum’s collection of boats form the most important and coherent collection of watercraft generic to one particular location in existence anywhere in the world. The UK’s National Historic Ships lists 11 of the boats as nationally pre-eminent and, of these, four are members of the elite National Historic Fleet. The classic Windermere steam launches of the 1890s and 1900s form a particularly important part of the collection, known internationally for the quality of their design and associations with the great houses around Windermere.

The project is also generously supported by: The Sir John Fisher Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation, South Lakeland District Council, The Headley Trust, Foyle Foundation, Windermere Lake Cruises Ltd., Rural Development Programme for England, J P Getty Jnr Charitable Trust and other trusts, companies and individuals.

Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Limited

Established in 1830, in Cockermouth, Cumbria Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd has grown into a major contractor for the construction of building and civil engineering projects. The company operates in the North West and parts of the North East of England and the South West of Scotland.

Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd are a building company that offer a comprehensive range of products and services and deliver projects of both traditional and modern methods of construction. They have experience in many market sectors including Nuclear, Commercial/Industrial, Leisure, Retail, Education, Private Housing & Health Care. With their own in-house expertise for mechanical, bespoke joinery, civil engineering & highways and renewable energy Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd are able to provide innovative solutions to meet their Clients requirements.

Further information

Contact Jeanette Edgar, Director Marketing & Communications on jedgar@lakelandarts.org.uk or 01539 446 191.