The William Morris Gallery museum in Walthamstow will reopen to the public on Thursday (August 2) after a £5million revamp.

The historic former home of the 19th century designer, writer and socialist, in Lloyd Park, Forest Road, has been transformed with modernised exhibits and rooms, a new tearoom overlooking the park and a learning centre for school pupils on its top floor.

The future of the gallery was threatened in 2007 when the council slashed its budget and laid off long-serving staff such as curator and crafts movement expert Peter Cormach, prompting angry protests from campaigners.

But in 2010 new plans were drawn up for extensive renovations, given a boost later that year by a £1.5million grant from the Heritage Lottery Project, which was matched by Waltham Forest Council.

A further £1million has been raised by dedicated volunteers from the Friends of William Morris Gallery group.

A funding shortfall of £800,000 has been underwritten by the council, with the friends group hoping to raise the rest from donations and public bodies.

Its chair David Brangwyn said he was delighted with the revamp.

He added: “It is now a ‘must see’ destination for people of all ages. “It is good to see the beautiful house stripped down to its Georgian bones and the way the exhibition rooms have been arranged in an up-to-date way".

The refurbished gallery, which includes a more expansive range of artefacts and a new space for temporary exhibits – opening with the 'Walthamstow Tapestry' artwork by Turner Prize winning artist Grayson Perry - also includes 'hands on' activities for children and interactive screens.

The project, which has taken 16 months to complete, runs in tandem with a similar multi-million revamp of Lloyd Park, which is due to be finished in the coming weeks.

Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins said the previous gallery had been a poor relation of the borough's attractions and had risked falling into “oblivion”.

He said: “But now the gallery has been reborn not only for our residents but for the rest of the country and indeed the world to enjoy.”

Meanwhile controversial plans to grant an alcohol and music licence for the site, so that it can be rented as a wedding and corporate function venue, have been approved despite objections from more than 40 residents.

The council's own noise and licensing services also originally made representations, but then withdrew after the licensed time of amplified music was cut from midnight to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

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