The Harris will reopen in 2024 after a £16 million project to restore and reimagine the building as a community, cultural and learning space.

Founded in 1893, The Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library, known as The Harris, was a gift to the people of Preston. Today it’s recognised as one of the region’s leading museums and art venues.

It’s at a turning point in its history, investing millions of pounds in structural works to preserve the building plus make it more welcoming and inclusive to ensure it remains at the heart of our community.

Read more: Hoarding installed as Harris restoration works progress

As part of this massive transformation Bird, a Preston-based design & branding agency, are working with The Harris to create new branding. At the same time the building is getting a makeover, the look and feel of The Harris is getting some attention too.

Rachel Simpson, Creative Director at Bird said: “Rebranding is a really important part of the reopening, people need to understand why The Harris exists, what it stands for, so they’ll come and visit. We’ll develop a design approach that’s visually welcoming and says the right things, so it’s attractive for a local audience and visitors from across the UK.”

Read more: First look at the new Harris ground-floor rotunda

The rebranding has just started and will involve extensive research including workshops, interviews, and surveys to understand what local people think. Bird are working within the The Harris Community Empowerment Guidelines to ensure they listen to, and consult with, a diverse range of voices from across Preston at every stage of the project.

They are looking for the views of people who have visited The Harris, we’d love to hear your opinions about what you think of The Harris today and what you want in the future. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and is available to take part in here.

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