The decision, announced on November 23 2007, has been taken to secure the Empire museum’s long-term future and reach a larger international audience. Negotiations are currently underway regarding a major cultural venue in the capital to house the museum’s archives and host its major exhibitions.
“Relocation to London presents a major opportunity for the Museum to widen its reach and engage new audiences with this important and formative part of our shared past,” said Dr Gareth Griffiths, Director of the BECM.
 |  | The BECM has led Bristol's slave trade commemorations in 2007 with a major exhibition and series of events. Courtesy BECM |
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The BECM opened in Bristol five years ago as the only museum of its kind, devoted specifically to exploring Britain’s colonial past and its development into today’s Commonwealth. Many aspects of this Imperial heritage are sticky subjects, and the museum has been praised for tackling a controversial history.
“We have enjoyed great success over the last five years of operation and are extremely grateful to the people of Bristol and all those who have supported us,” continued Dr Griffiths. “We hope that Bristolians will take the opportunity to catch our acclaimed exhibitions over the coming year and support our transition to this next exciting stage.”
Bristol was an appropriate city for the museum, given its key role as a major port in centuries past. Bristol was a gateway for international trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, abolished in 1807. The museum’s current special exhibition, Breaking The Chains, marks this bicentenary.
The Conflict and Control gallery. © BECM | |  |
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The BECM is sited in the Bristol Old Station at Temple Meads, the world’s first purpose-built railway terminus. Designed by famous Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was also responsible for the city’s floating docks and Clifton Suspension Bridge, the station is a Grade I listed building.
The Museum Trust carried out a £7million restoration of the Old Station, after which it was nominated as a World Heritage Site. The landmark Bristol site will continue to be looked after by the museum, but will shortly be put on the market.
The BECM was opened in October 2002 by its patron, HRH The Princess Royal, since then building up a collection of more than 75,000 artefacts and images. It has won awards including the Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence and the National Railway Heritage Award.
 | | The BECM has a large collection devoted to British exploits abroad and the former Empire's effects on the world today. Charles Trotter Collection |
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Major projects on the cards for the museum in the near future are hosting an international conference and exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the end of the British mandate in Palestine (2008), and a touring exhibition entitled Serving Empire, on the lives of those who working in colonial outposts. The current galleries will remain open in Bristol until Autumn 2008.
As for Bristol, with the development of a new city museum underway, the story of our Imperial history and particularly Bristol’s place in it, will still be told in the city.
“We are confident that our new Museum of Bristol, due to open in 2010, will continue to provide the city’s nine million tourists and our one million residents with a fascinating insight into Bristol’s role as a key player in the British Empire and Commonwealth over the centuries – in both good times and bad,” commented Cllr Helen Holland, Leader of Bristol City Council.
