The Hovercraft Museum welcomed partners, funders, heritage organisations and strategic stakeholders last week to share ambitious plans for its future, alongside a joint vision that places the museum at the heart of the transformational regeneration of Daedalus Waterfront.
Held at the museum, the stakeholder update workshop showcased the significant progress made over the past 12 months while outlining how the internationally important hovercraft collection will become a key cultural destination within one of the South Coast’s most ambitious regeneration projects.
Since becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), the Hovercraft Museum has achieved full museum accreditation, secured support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and received national recognition through a Museum + Heritage Awards nomination for Volunteer Team of the Year. Behind the scenes, the museum has assembled a specialist team covering governance, conservation, fundraising, business planning, collections management and masterplanning, laying the foundations for major future investment.
Project Manager Paul Ackerley said the focus had been on building the right foundations before seeking significant investment.
“From the outset, our priority has been to build a robust evidence base rather than rush to conclusions. That’s essential not only for good decision making, but because it’s exactly what major funders such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England expect.”
He added:
“Many museums rely on volunteers to support professionals. Here, it’s the other way around. The volunteers are the custodians of extraordinary knowledge and expertise. Our role has been to add capacity, open doors, build partnerships and help navigate the complexities of major heritage funding.”
The event also revealed the first stages of an emerging masterplan that will transform the visitor experience while protecting the museum’s internationally significant collection. Early proposals include a new visitor entrance, improved learning and exhibition spaces, enhanced accessibility, commercial facilities to support long-term sustainability and new protective structures for iconic hovercraft including Princess Anne.
A key theme throughout the workshop was the museum’s role within the wider Daedalus Waterfront regeneration.
William Murray, Director of MurrayTwohig, part of the joint venture delivering Daedalus Waterfront, described the museum and the development as inseparable.
“I don’t think the Hovercraft Museum conversation we’re having today would be happening without this project. Equally, I don’t think Daedalus Waterfront would be what it is without the Hovercraft Museum. The two are completely connected.”
Daedalus Waterfront will deliver new employment space, homes, public realm and cultural destinations while celebrating the heritage of the former HMS Daedalus site. The masterplan has been shaped around four guiding principles: creating jobs and opportunity, celebrating heritage, nurturing a destination and restoring pride in place.
Murray said the Hovercraft Museum would become one of the defining destinations within the development.
He added:
“This collection tells an extraordinary story of British engineering, innovation and advanced mobility. There are very few places in the country with more than 100 years of continuous technological innovation on one site. That’s something we should celebrate.”
Over the past three years, the development company, Patron Daedalus Ltd, has supported the museum with funding, professional expertise and strategic guidance, including specialist consultancy, a commitment of £250,000 towards the museum’s future funding journey and ongoing work to help secure the museum’s long-term tenure, enabling access to significant external investment.
The wider regeneration will create new public spaces, restore historic buildings and strengthen links between heritage, business, tourism and the community. Central to those plans is Seaplane Square, a new civic space that will host events, hospitality and cultural activity, with the Hovercraft Museum acting as its anchor attraction.
The workshop also heard from key public and private sector partners including Griffon Marina and Hovertravel, which recently trialled new Ryde to Lee-on-the-Solent services. Following exceptional public demand, every sailing sold out within hours, highlighting growing interest in Lee-on-the-Solent as a visitor destination and reinforcing the opportunities created through improved connectivity to Daedalus Waterfront.
Closing the event, Paul Ackerley reflected on the momentum that has been created.
“We’ve built the evidence, strengthened partnerships, earned confidence and created real momentum. The next chapter will undoubtedly be challenging, but thanks to the collective effort of everyone involved, the Hovercraft Museum is in the strongest position it has been in for many years.”
As plans continue to evolve, the museum will now focus on progressing major funding applications, developing detailed designs and working with partners to create a nationally recognised heritage destination that celebrates Britain’s pioneering hovercraft story while helping shape the future of Daedalus Waterfront.
Patron Daedalus is a joint venture between Patron Capital, MurrayTwohig and Orwell Real Estate.
Patron represents approximately €5 billion of capital across several funds and related co-investments, investing in property, corporate operating entities whose value is primarily supported by property assets and distressed debt and credit related businesses. Since it was established in 1999, Patron has undertaken more than 200 transactions across 103 investments and programs involving over 9 million square metres in 17 countries, with many of these investments realised. Investors represent a variety of sovereign wealth funds, prominent universities, major institutions, private foundations, and high net worth individuals located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The main investment adviser to the Funds is Patron Capital Advisers LLP, which is based in London, and Patron has other offices across Europe including Barcelona and Luxembourg; the group is comprised of 68 people, including a 39-person investment team. Further information about Patron Capital is available at www.patroncapital.com
