Save the World of Glass

Save The World of Glass

The World of Glass, is celebrating its 25th anniversary while at the same time facing imminent closure unless £50,000 is raised in the next 3 months.

The museum has launched a Crowdfunder campaign to secure the charity’s future. Without your support we will close our doors.

The World of Glass is more than just a museum. It’s a living tribute to St Helens’ industrial legacy and a vital hub for education, community events, and heritage preservation. The Society of Glass Technology held an Annual Meeting there as well as the Training Day for Furnace Solutions this year and the IoM3 Mellor Memorial Lecture. Dr David Martlew HonFSGT was a leading light in setting up the visitor centre, interpreting the technologies used in the tank furnace and the transfer of the Pilkington Museum collection.

The museum has welcomed over 1 million visitors since opening in 2000 and serves thousands of local schoolchildren each year. It’s an independent charity that offers free cultural and education experiences including historic furnaces, hands-on exhibits, and live glassblowing. It is truly a one-of-a-kind UK experience and hidden gem in the centre of St Helens.

Despite all this the World of Glass has been struggling in recent years to secure the income needed to keep open and free to the public. This is due to:
● Rising costs that all organisations are currently facing e.g. significant increases in staffing costs, overheads and energy costs
● Increased competition for funding in the charity sector

The World of Glass has an exciting opportunity to aim for in 2026. The International Festival of Glass (ifg.org.uk) will be hosted in St Helens for the very first time. The Glass Art Society (GAS) (Glass Art Society – Glass Art Society) has invited The World of Glass to partner with them to deliver the International Festival of Glass and the British Glass Biennale in 2026, bringing in 10K visitors to St Helens from across the globe.

Link to the Crowdfunder campaign