Topic Leisure
Date 24 Sep 2025
The Spence Building, built by Galliford Try’s Building North East and Yorkshire team at the Preston Park Museum in Stockton-on-Tees, has been, opened to the public.
The £10m project, was delivered through the Procure Partnerships Framework and funded by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The scheme marks a significant milestone in the museum’s history and its continued development as a cultural hub for the Tees Valley.
The 1,600 sqm extension creates a modern exhibition space capable of hosting major touring exhibitions and nationally significant loan exhibits, meaning visitors can enjoy high-profile cultural events without leaving the region. Alongside the new gallery space, the project included the refurbishment of the museum’s café, now relaunched as The Spence Café, with the addition of a new gift shop and an outdoor terrace overlooking the orchard.
Cliff Wheatley, Managing Director of Galliford Try Building North East and Yorkshire, commented: “It’s great to see The Spence Building now open to the public. Preston Park is of huge importance to the local community, and we’re delighted to have been part of its development.
“Preston Park’s transformation is set to deliver long-term benefits by attracting more visitors, boosting the local economy, and creating opportunities for residents to engage with engaging cultural experiences closer to home.”