In 2012 Harborough District Council approved plans to refurbish its headquarters building in the centre of Market Harborough. Plans included creating a special cultural and community hub on the first floor to include Market Harborough Library, Harborough Museum and the Leicestershire Adult Learning Service, as well as the Market Harborough Registration Office.

Working together Leicestershire County Council and Harborough District Council developed plans for an exciting and inspiring learning and culture space for the community. This was successfully completed as Symington 1, which re-opened in Spring 2014 welcoming more visitors than ever before. The development was funded by Harborough District Council, Leicestershire County Council and The Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity and was part of the wider transformation of The Symington Building by Harborough District Council.

A number of exhibitions which were in Harborough Museum before the transformation have returned. These include the Hallaton Treasure and Falkner’s boot and shoe workshop. The Story Place has taken inspiration from the corsets once made in The Symington Building and the vaulted ceilings of the original building, presenting a striking and inviting area to enjoy children’s books and museum displays.

A new temporary exhibition space has welcomed many changing exhibitions since re-opening and you can see our current exhibitions here.