Behind the scenes of The Conservation Studio at People’s History Museum

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Visit now

Behind the scenes of The Conservation Studio

13 September 2025
Date
Time
Session Features
13 Sep 2025
10:45 am-11:30 am
13 Sep 2025
12:45 pm-1:30 pm
13 Sep 2025
2:45 pm-3:30 pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

A group of people listening to a conservator, standing near a huge colourful historic banner laid out on a table.
People's History Museum
Book now

In celebration of Heritage Open Days the People’s History Museum are inviting curious minds to explore their specialist conservation studio. You’ll learn about the worlds largest collection of trade union and political banners and how techniques of banner production have changed over time. These, often delicate, works of political textile art require careful and skilled maintenance which involves fascinating procedures and techniques. It’s amazing to see the amount of work that goes into banners as they get prepared for public display.

While you’re in the museum, you can also explore galleries one and two, featuring the 2025 Banner Exhibition and the world’s oldest trade union banner

Where to go near Behind the scenes of The Conservation Studio at People’s History Museum

Open Kitchen Cafe and Bar
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Open Kitchen Cafe and Bar

Enjoy a sustainable, ethical, and delicious food experience at Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar, the in-house restaurant and bar at People’s History Museum.

Manchester
Restaurant
Albatross & Arnold

Albatross and Arnold is a smart and modern bar-restaurant in the Left Bank area of Spinningfields, with an impressive selection of high-quality cocktails.

Manchester
Restaurant
Menagerie

Based in Salford, Menagerie is a bar and restaurant with a focus on luxury and theatrical thrills.

Spinningfields
Restaurant
Australasia

The recent revamp builds on Australasia’s well-deserved reputation as one of Manchester’s most stylish venues

Manchester
Restaurant
BLVD Manchester

Taking over the space formerly occupied by Neighbourhood, BLVD promises ‘exceptional food and drink’.

City Centre
Bar or Pub
The Oast House

A rustic Kentish Oast House (that’s a traditional hop-drying shed, of course) plunked down amidst the glass and steel corridors of Spinningfields.

Tattu Chinese restaurant Manchester
City Centre
Restaurant
Tattu

Tattu is pulling out all the stops for Halloween, with five days of special cocktails and dishes, plus a Sunday sunset dinner and more.

Club Vino
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Club Vino

Wine-tasting company ran by Italian sommelier and ex-wine merchant Marco Castelanelli. Offering at-home tasting experiences, along with special events in various high-end locations around Manchester.

Manchester
Restaurant
Honest Burgers

This burger joint focuses on high-quality burgers and sides, homemade using local produce. After a series of pop-ups they’ve found a permanent home on Bridge Street in the centre of Manchester.

City Centre
Restaurant
Mojo

Rocking, rolling, rum bar on Manchester’s Bridge Street

What's on: Activity

Manchester Town Hall
TourManchester
The Magical Mystery Bike Tour

Hop on your bike for this guided cycling tour, exploring fascinating corners of Manchester you may never have seen before.

From £25.00

Culture Guides

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

European Poetry Festival European Camarade
Literature Events in the North

From tongue-twisters to twisty page-turners, we have all kinds of spoken word surprises in the latest literature round-up.