EARLY indications show there is strong support for plans to relocate Swindon’s Museum and Art Gallery to a purpose-built venue in the town centre.

People are being asked through an online survey for their views on the plan which would allow the town to show off its renowned art collection.

At the moment, it is housed in the museum in Bath Road, but the collection, which is worth millions, is too big to be displayed in full there.

The survey is being carried out to strengthen a bid for a £10m Heritage Lottery Grant to build the new venue, which will have a greater chance of success if the council can demonstrate public enthusiasm for the proposal.

One of the main aims of the project is to use Swindon’s art collection to drive the town’s regeneration, acting as a valuable asset to draw people from further afield, and boosting investment in the borough.

The idea is that as Swindon is strategically placed and therefore easy for many people to get to, the town’s nationally-significant collection of British 20th century modern art and ceramics – which includes works by the likes of LS Lowry – could be a major cultural attraction.

A new building, off Princes Street, would rectify this issue as well as allowing greater access and facilities to host educational events and large touring exhibitions.

Council leader David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick), who chairs the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery relocation project board, said: “We have a fantastic opportunity here in Swindon to use our art and ceramics collections, which all experts agree are exceptional, to draw people from outside Swindon to the town centre.

“We also have a chance to do greater justice to our local museum exhibits, as we know that many people are interested in local history too.

“To gain Heritage Lottery Funding, we have to show many things, but one of the most important is local support for the plans.

“I really urge everyone to give their opinion about what we are aiming to do.

“It has the potential to put Swindon firmly on the UK’s cultural map and bring big economic benefits as well.”

The proposals have cross party support and if the £10m grant is supported, the council have pledged to provide another £5m with much of that thought to be coming from private donations.

The online survey closes on October 31 and is accessible by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SMAG_relocation_project.