‘Genuine delight’ at scale of demand to visit The Harris in first few months

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Preston’s beloved Wallace and Gromit exhibition saw a record turnout of 105,177 in its first eight weeks at the Harris. 

It averaged 14,500 visitors a week in its opening month, more than doubling pre-closure attendance and causing queues that stretched into Fishergate.

Preston’s favourite TV masterpiece opened the historic museum in September with creator Nick Park in attendance. 

Read more: MP accuses government of “all talk and no track” as Preston snubbed in multi-billion pound railway investment

By the end of last year, the Harris saw 154,497 visitors highlighting the cultural and economic impact of the exhibition. 

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It was a successful opening of the long-awaited return of the museum as it has been under refurbishment. 

Cllr Anna Hindle, Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts at Preston City Council, said: “We have been surprised and genuinely delighted by the reaction to The Harris’ opening exhibition. 

“The level of engagement, especially in the first month and during the final week, has been incredibly encouraging and we hope this continues into the New Year.

“We would like to thank everyone for their patience, enthusiasm, and continued support as we welcomed visitors back to The Harris.”

The exhibition is now closed but the Harris is looking into the future with the planned exhibitions of The Harris Open 2026, The World of Martin Brown: Horrible Histories and Other Dazzling Drawings and Horrockses Fashions: Everyday Glamour & the Art of British Ready-to-Wear.

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