North Lanarkshire Council has announced that the Summerlee Heritage Park in Coatbridge, Scotland, will close in October for a £10m refurbishment.

A 20-month revamp of the industrial heritage site will create a new area called The Furnace, which will tell the story of iron making at Summerlee and the part the town of Coatbridge played in the 19th century as Scotland’s ‘iron burgh’.

An audio-visual interpretive area called The Core will explain the origins of Summerlee and both the attraction’s and the town’s industrial, social and political heritage.

A new entrance to the main hall – which will incorporate a café, shop and toilets – will be constructed in addition to an education/lifelong learning suite and refurbished conservation workshops.

It is anticipated that the heritage park site will reopen in April 2008.

Cllr Jim Logue said: “Summerlee has always been a popular visitor attraction and the improvements will confirm its position as one of the most significant industrial heritage sites in Scotland.

“The park provides a fascinating day out for residents and visitors both young and old, and this refurbishment programme will bring together the best of the past and present in a dynamic, interactive visitor experience for the 21st century.”

In the meantime, the Ironworks Gallery is currently presenting an exhibition on the story of Summerlee as a museum.

The 19th Century Summerlee Ironworks – a forerunner in the use of the highly successful and innovative hot-blast iron smelting process – was opened to the public in 1987. It attracts around 90,000 visitors per year. Details: www.northlan.gov.uk

Photograph: The Furnace will tell the story of iron making at Summerlee