From 2016, London’s Design Museum will be offering free entry to permanent exhibitions following its move to a new site in Kensington.

Chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, visited the Museum’s new site on 17 October and announced plans to support opening the doors for free under the VAT refund scheme for museums and galleries.

The Design Museum will join more than 50 other museums across the UK capital opening their doors for free under the the scheme.

Relocating to Kensington from 2016, the Museum will be housed in the former Commonwealth Institute, masterminded by architectural firm OMA. John Pawson, a British designer, is refurbishing the structure.

The new site will provide three times more space for its collections, allowing room for temporary exhibitions and learning programmes. It is hoped that visitor numbers will increase to at least 650,000 people for 2016.

Anya Hindmarch, fashion designer and Design Museum Trustee commented that: “With its move to Kensington, it will not only re-awaken an historic piece of architecture, but will have so much more space to showcase Design and cement London as THE design capital of the world.”

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