Exciting New Chapter for Lancashire Cricket As Heritage Experience Takes Shape

Exciting New Chapter for Lancashire Cricket As Heritage Experience Takes Shape

The Lancashire Cricket Foundation has taken a major step forward in bringing Lancashire’s cricketing legacy to life with the appointment of a new Heritage Manager and the full consultant team for its ambitious heritage project.

Creative Core have been announced as the Interpretation and Exhibition Designers, DHA as Evaluation Consultants, Emma Parsons and Jane Davies as Activity Planners and Kazky as Digital Collection Consultants. The Lancashire Cricket Heritage Experience is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Set within the iconic grounds of Emirates Old Trafford, the Heritage Hub will be a dynamic new space that celebrates the club’s proud history, shares personal stories, and invites fans and communities to explore cricket heritage across the county. Creative Core will also design an interactive trail around the stadium celebrating the vibrant history of the ground.

The project will be led by the newly appointed Heritage Manager – Alex Cropper, who brings passion and expertise to the Foundation’s growing programme.

Alex commented “I’m so excited about my new role here at Lancashire Cricket Foundation. Every day I’m discovering fascinating new items in our collection, and I can’t wait to celebrate the heritage of the ground, club and county cricket through the Heritage Hub, trail and outreach programme.”

Creative consultancy The Creative Core will partner with the Foundation to deliver the design vision for the project, using a collaborative, community-first approach to ensure the final space reflects the people, pride and passion behind Lancashire Cricket.

Jim Parkin, Lead Consultant at Creative Core said, “We are thrilled to be working with Lancashire Cricket Foundation, their partners, and surrounding communities on this amazing project. Through conversation, consultation, and co-production we will progress ideas for a thrilling new Heritage Hub at Emirates Old Trafford. Steeped in Lancashire’s cricketing heritage, the project will find stories and engagements that appeal to cricket fans and non-cricket fans alike.”

Harriet Whitehead, Head of Design at Core Creative, added:

“The Lancashire Cricket Club Heritage Hub is more than history it's a living legacy, bringing the rich spirit of the game to life for future generations. Being part of it means we get a chance to bring the club’s amazing history to life and share the stories that make it so special.”

The Activity Plan Consultants will plan a series of exciting activities, taking place across the country and at EOT, to bring the heritage of Lancashire cricket to life. "Sport is such a powerful way to connect people across all communities with each other, with the past and with the future, so we're thrilled to be working with the team on this project". - Emma Parsons and Jane Davies, Activity Plan Consultants.

At the same time, Digital Heritage Consultants Kazky are helping the team utilize LCCC’s amazing collection and finding new ways to share the collection with our audiences. “We are excited to work with the team to explore how digital technology can help manage the heritage collections more effectively and make them more accessible.” DHA are on board to ensure the ambitious project reaches our audiences in the most impactful way. ‘We are looking forward to supporting the project team and Lancashire Cricket Foundation in consulting, testing, reflecting and ensuring a robust proposal for the next phase of heritage celebrating the special place of cricket in Lancashire.’

Over the coming months, the consultants will work closely with Lancashire communities, match attendees and Lancashire Cricket Members, through workshops and engagement events.

Creative Core’s aim is to co-produce a bold, diverse and inclusive exhibition design rooted in lived experience, shared memory, and deep local pride.

‘We are looking forward to supporting the project team and Lancashire Cricket Foundation in consulting, testing, reflecting and ensuring a robust proposal for the next phase of heritage celebrating the special place of cricket in Lancashire.’

Over the coming months, the consultants will work closely with Lancashire communities, match attendees and Lancashire Cricket Members, through workshops and engagement events.

Creative Core’s aim is to co-produce a bold, diverse and inclusive exhibition design rooted in lived experience, shared memory, and deep local pride.

“As interpretation and design consultants, we craft meaningful visitor experiences. We put communities at the heart of everything we do,” said Harriet Whitehead “If you’ve got a Lancashire Cricket story or memory to share, we’d love to hear from you. We’ll be popping up at Lancashire Cricket Club throughout the rest of the season—so come and say hi!”

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. The Lancashire Cricket Heritage Experience is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, the Heritage Hub and stadium trail will form a central part of the Foundation’s expanding heritage programme and ongoing efforts to uncover and preserve untold stories from the region’s cricketing past.

Helen Featherstone, Director, England North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support Lancashire Cricket Foundation with the initial phase of this project. It’s fantastic news that Alex has joined the team, as Heritage Manager, to be the driving force in ensuring this project will connect people with their sporting heritage and improve access to the unique archive through a tangible visitor experience.

We are excited to see how our funding, made possible by National Lottery players, will ensure that heritage is cared for and valued now and for the future”.