Agenda item

Purpose of report

This report sets out to inform and update the Cabinet Member on the progress linked to the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection both in relation to the completion of the Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) bid, Sharing Sherlock and the outline plan for the Collection going forward.

RECOMMENDED

(1)  To acknowledge the success of the HLF funded 'Sharing Sherlock - Story of a Pompey Lad' project and especially the ability of the project to have such an active volunteering programme.

(2)  To support the inclusion of the Conan Doyle Collection in the proposed regional Royal National Institute of the Blind HLF funded project along with other regional museums and heritage collections in the south and south east.

(3)  To work with Tim Rusby of the Visitor Attraction Company to develop feasibility options for the delivery of a Portsmouth based Sherlock Holmes Experience.

(4)  To explore the development of a new Sherlock Holmes exhibition to be commissioned by the Conan Doyle Trust which will incorporate elements which can be toured to other interested museums and cultural centres.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

Claire Looney introduced the report and said that Tim Rusby from the Visitor Attraction Company had been invited to attend today's meeting. Tim has been helping the Council with the development of the Sherlock Holmes Experience idea.

Tim gave a presentation on his findings which included the feasibility process and then went through how the new Sherlock Holmes exhibition might look.  Tim's presentation would be added to the agenda papers following the meeting and emailed to the councillors present.

In response to questions from members the following points were clarified:

·         With regard to whether there would be value to developing a Sherlock Holmes themed pub/hotel, Tim felt there were be great value to the city in doing this if it were in the right location.

·         Members felt that this was a very important matter for the city and that buy in is important. 

·         Councillor Hunt suggested that it would be beneficial for the signage for the city to be amended to 'Portsmouth the great waterfront city and the home of Sherlock Holmes'. He felt this would be achievable in a relatively short timescale.

·         The net building space required was 10,000-15,000 sq feet.

·         The Visitor Attraction Company were the enabler and Tim advised there were at least three companies operating in the UK who could operate  this exhibition.

·         With regard to timescales, it was estimated this would be two years. The Leader commented that this would need a strategic plan to gradually build up to the launch event and a multi-faceted approach was required.

·         It was suggested that Portsmouth Football Club could be used as a resource to promote Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle in the city.

·         This was an important international opportunity for the city to be promoted across the works particularly as Sherlock Holmes is popular in a number of countries including China.

·         History shows that Sherlock Homes will always re-invent itself.

A deputation was heard from Steve Pitt, speaking in favour of the recommendations. He commented that it was fantastic to see all the political parties supporting this project and felt that the integration of the offer is very important.  He supported the idea to change the city's brand to include Sherlock Holmes on the signage.

In response to Mr Pitt's suggestion that the exhibition space could include other literary figures, Mr Rusby said that the exhibition needs to be a portal to other things and this could either be to an online portal or using other space in the building.

Members felt that staff were incredibly adept and there were plentiful opportunities to promote Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle through the other events that take place in the city.

DECISIONS: The Cabinet Member:

(1)  Acknowledged the success of the HLF funded 'Sharing Sherlock - Story of a Pompey Lad' project and especially the ability of the project to have such an active volunteering programme.

(2)    Supported the inclusion of the Conan Doyle Collection in the proposed regional Royal National Institute of the Blind HLF funded project along with other regional museums and heritage collections in the south and south east.

(3)  Agreed to work with Tim Rusby of the Visitor Attraction Company to develop feasibility options for the delivery of a Portsmouth based Sherlock Holmes Experience.

(4)  Agreed to explore the development of a new Sherlock Holmes exhibition to be commissioned by the Conan Doyle Trust which will incorporate elements which can be toured to other interested museums and cultural centres.