Plans to give the historic County Hall Museum in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, a complete makeover are to go ahead following the award of a final grant of just over £1.7m by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

To date, the project has been awarded £210,000 in development funding, and a £50,000 project planning grant, making the total investment £1.97m. The Grade I listed building in the town centre was constructed between 1678 and 1682, its dual role as market hall and Sessions House dating from when the town was included in the boundaries of the old county of Berkshire and played host to the local courts, the assizes.

A popular local museum created in the 1920s, it is home to a wide collection of local historical artefacts plus geological and archaeological finds, textiles, paintings and objects relating to the former MG Motors plant in the town. Specific improvements planned include a platform lift with stops to the basement, street-level and Arcade. Details of the design of the lift have been agreed with English Heritage and gained planning permission in autumn 2009.

The project provides improved education and community facilities and space for temporary exhibitions. A programme of community consultation, education and audience development will now get underway. Abingdon Town Council, which was awarded the grant, hopes to increase the museum's visitor figures from 20,000 per year to 30,000.