The proposed X-shaped museum being built on Liverpool's waterfront. © NML

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has confirmed its grant of £11 million to Liverpool’s museum project. This brings to an end the city’s long-running funding problems for its new museum.

The money will be used to complete the interior of the building currently under construction at Liverpool’s Pier Head.

Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Carole Souter, said of the funding: “We’re delighted to be able to confirm our support for this ambitious project which will bring the story of the city to life.”

The fitting out of the gallery spaces will include designs for special themed experiences. This will allow visitors to learn about different aspects of the city’s history – its port, its people, its reputation for creativity and its place in the world.

Museum across the Mersey - as the new museum will look by 2010. © NML

The children’s gallery is intended as a dreamscape, which visitors can explore through interactive displays and exhibits.

Despite the size of the immense x-shaped building, the structure avoids - as far as possible - the use of interior support columns. This is to ensure the building will be open and accessible.

The long-running project has been beset by funding problems and controversy and David Fleming, Director of National Museums Liverpool, described the experience as akin to having to run the Grand National. He said: “Having cleared the final hurdle, we’re now on the home straight.”

The new museum will replace the original Museum of Liverpool Life, which shut in 2006. It will house 10,000 objects from the National Museums Liverpool collection. Many of these items were not previously on display because the Liverpool Life building was too small.