The Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee met on Friday 25 September 2026 to discuss the upcoming London Museum, policies for Keats House, and the Inspiring London Through Culture Fund. The committee received an update on the London Museum, which is set to open in phases, with the Victorian general market opening on 28 November 2026 and the poultry market in late 2028.

Update on the London Museum

The committee received an update on the progress of the London Museum, a significant cultural development for the city. The museum is being developed in phases, with the first section, the Victorian general market, scheduled to open to the public on 28 November 2026. The poultry market section is anticipated to open towards the end of 2028. The project aims to create the best city museum in the world, with ambitions to attract two million visitors annually once fully open. The museum's architecture is being celebrated, with the buildings themselves considered significant historical artefacts. The project is also focused on increasing public access to the museum's collection, with over 140,000 objects already available online. The museum plans to welcome 160,000 schoolchildren annually, with a particular focus on engaging with London's educational curriculum. The permanent galleries, located in the subterranean levels of the Victorian general market, will allow visitors to walk on the ground level of Roman London. A notable feature will be a large window offering views of the Thameslink train passing through the museum, highlighting the city's transport infrastructure. The West Poultry Avenue entrance area, now referred to as Real Time, will feature digital screens displaying up-to-the-minute information about London. The collection will also include significant items such as the Banksy Piranhas and the last bell cast at the Whitechapel Foundry, inscribed with We are London.

Keats House Policies for Museum Accreditation

The committee considered policies for Keats House to support its application for Museum Accreditation from Arts Council England. These policies, which are reviewed every five years, include the Collections Care and Conservation Policy, Documentation Policy, and Access Policy. Keats House, a registered charity managed by the City of London Corporation, is required to maintain these standards to ensure its sustainability, focus, and trustworthiness as a museum. The policies outline the commitment to preserving and making accessible the collections and the Grade I listed building, ensuring compliance with ethical and legal guidelines. The Access Policy, in particular, details measures to mitigate physical barriers within the historic building and promote sensory, cultural, intellectual, attitudinal, and financial accessibility for all visitors.

Inspiring London Through Culture Fund - Annual Update 2025/26

The committee received an update on the Inspiring London Through Culture (ILTC) Fund, which provides grants to cultural projects and services benefiting communities within the City of London. In the 2025/26 financial year, the ILTC received 30 applications, a 20% increase from the previous year, and awarded nine grants totalling £74,209. The fund's budget for this period was £73,333, with the slight overspend covered by funds written back into the programme. The grants awarded supported a diverse range of art forms and projects, including festivals, workshops, walking trails, and performances, with recipients including Invisible Flock Co., VOCES8 Foundation, and The Jewish Square Mile Foundation. The average grant value increased from the previous year, reflecting rising operational costs for arts projects. The report noted a decrease in the approval rate from 40% to 30% due to the growing number of applications and a constant funding pot. The ILTC is set to be reviewed and aligned with the City of London's new Cultural Strategy.