South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has confirmed that it plans to submit a bid for Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) support worth £1m towards an upgrade of Kendal Museum, Cumbria.

The Kendal Museum Evolves Project is designed to explore how collections, which are owned by the town's residents, can be exhibited in innovative new ways and will be undertaken in two phases. Phase one of the renovation programme will ensure all parts of the museum comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, which will see alterations to the overall layout of the attraction to improve access.

The second stage will see the Lodge transformed into an educational space, with a weatherproof structure built to provide a covered link to the facility from the main museum. Phase two will get underway once phase one is complete. SLDC is working in partnership with Kendal Museum, Kendal College and Kendal Town Council to deliver the improvements, with a bid to be submitted to the HLF in September. A decision is expected in December.

Brendan Jameson, leader of the district council, said: "A majority of the museum's collections are in storage and have never been displayed. The council and its partners are aiming high and hope to put Kendal Museum on the map. "As well as being an informative and interesting visitor attraction, it will also provide a unique educational hub for the local community to enjoy."