The times they are a-changing for the Harris Pic: Tony Worrall

The Harris Museum is to be open on Sundays as part of a plan for its future.

New longer opening times for the museum, art gallery and library come into force from Saturday 2 July.

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A public consultation on the future of the building said the current opening times were restrictive and confusing.

The building is jointly operated by Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council which is responsible for the library.

Changes to the opening times are due to be trialed for four months.

Related: Harris Museum among Preston art venues and projects listed as best in the North

The city council’s cabinet member for arts and culture councillor Peter Kelly said: “This is a fantastic move forward towards a joined up approach between ourselves and Lancashire County Council.

“It’s a small step but a really important one. It shows we mean business and are absolutely determined to change the Harris into Lancashire’s, and one of the region’s, premier attractions.

“Through this change, people will now be able to enjoy the Harris in its entirety on a Sunday – which is obviously great news for visitors, families and library users alike.”

There is also to be late-night opening on a Wednesday, with the museum open until 8pm and the cafe open until 7.30pm.

Previous opening times had the museum closing at 5pm each weekday and Saturdays.

Looking down inside the Harris towards the cafe Pic: 70023venus2009

Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, planning and cultural services Marcus Johnstone said: “This is a really positive move forward. It’s important that we are open when the public want to visit us.

“We’ve worked closely with Preston City Council and also taken important feedback from the public consultation on board to achieve this.

“The Harris can now continue to go from strength to strength.”

Related: What Blog Preston readers asked the man put in charge of the Harris

The opening times are the first step in the Re-imagining the Harris project, which is due to see significant lottery funding applied for to help the Harris.

What are the new opening times?

Museum, Art Gallery & Library
Mon: 10am-5pm (IT centre from 9am) (museum/art gallery from 11am)
Tue: 10am-5pm (IT centre from 9am)
Wed: 10am-8pm (IT centre from 9am)
Thu: 10am-5pm (IT centre from 9am)
Fri: 10am-5pm (IT centre from 9am)
Sat: 10am-5pm (IT centre from 9am)
Sun: 11am-4pm (IT centre from 9am)

Café and Shop
10am-4pm on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat
10am-7.30pm on Wed
11am-3.30pm on Sun

What do you think of the new opening times? Do you visit the Harris? Let us know in the comments below