The History Shop attraction in Wigan is set to receive a £1.3m revamp.

The visitor attraction, famous for being the location where George Orwell researched his novel The Road to Wigan Pier, will undergo a number of improvements, including new museum displays for the historic artefacts stored at the site.

The work will also result in major improvements in accessibility and a complete refurbishment of the study and research areas.

Funding for the redevelopment will be provided through a £500,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with Wigan Council contributing a further £405,000. Wigan Leisure Trust has earmarked £325,000 for the scheme and the remaining £100,000 will come from a number of other external grants.

Jacqui Boardman, chair of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said: “Our aim is to take heritage out into the community through a variety of programmes with The History Shop acting as the key hub.”

The attraction, formerly the Wigan Reference Library, was designed by architect Alfred Waterhouse.