Museum of Science and Industry

What Museum of Science and Industry does

The Science and Industry Museum (MSI) is a registered charity and nonprofit cultural institution operating the historic Liverpool Road Station site in Castlefield, Manchester — the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station (1830) and a canonical location in the history of the Industrial Revolution. The museum serves families, schools, corporate groups, academic researchers, and community partners across Greater Manchester, interpreting over 250,000 objects and archives that trace 250 years of scientific and industrial innovation originating in Manchester. MSI is part of the Science Museum Group, the UK charitable trust that also operates the Science Museum in London, the National Railway Museum (York), the National Science and Media Museum (Bradford), and Locomotion (Shildon).

MSI operates a hybrid revenue model: general admission is free (with donations encouraged), while paid revenue streams include special exhibitions, the Power Up gaming experience, venue hire for corporate and private events, an online and on-site retail shop, and corporate sponsorships. Curated offerings include the Experiment interactive gallery, Power Hall (a working engine hall retrofitted with carbon-neutral infrastructure), the Textiles Gallery, Revolution Manchester, and timed programming such as Experitots early-years sessions and the annual Manchester Science Festival. In 2026 the museum launched Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, a space-themed exhibition co-produced with BBC Children's and Education, Lion Television, and Scholastic, and sponsored by CGI. A multi-million-pound restoration programme is currently underway, with several buildings closed and the Air and Space Hall closed permanently.

Operationally, MSI runs group booking systems for schools and informal learning groups, an online learning platform (Wonderlab+), an e-commerce shop, and a network of supporting partners spanning trusts and foundations (Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, The Headley Trust, Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust, The Zochonis Charitable Trust, Atmos International), corporate sponsors (CGI, Booking.com, Manchester Airports Group), academic collaborators (University of Salford, UCL), and community organizations (Communities For All). Technology deployment centers on digital ticketing, online collection databases, virtual learning resources, and accessibility hardware for the Power Up experience; no proprietary AI/ML systems are in evidence.

Name

Museum of Science and Industry

Legal name

Science and Industry Museum

Website

https://scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Science and Industry Museum is a Manchester-based nonprofit cultural institution and registered charity that operates the historic Liverpool Road Station site, serving families, schools, researchers, and corporate groups with exhibitions, educational programs, and special events as part of the Science Museum Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Museum and Cultural Attractions

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Historical Sites (71212)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

Keywords

• Science museum exhibitions
• Interactive science galleries
• Educational group programmes
• Heritage venue hire
• Cultural charity attractions

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission and Ticket Sales: Free general museum admission with charges for special exhibitions and events. Revenue generated from paid exhibitions like Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos and gaming experience Power Up.
2. Venue Hire: Commercial venue hire services for events, corporate functions, and private hire at the museum premises.
3. Retail Shop: Online and physical shop selling toys, gifts, gadgets, and merchandise inspired by collection stories, Industrial Revolution, and special exhibitions.
4. Donations and Support: Voluntary donations from visitors and supporters. Major donors programme for significant contributions.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorship and partnership programmes including major sponsors for exhibitions and associate sponsors for festivals.
6. Trusts, Foundations and Government: Funding from charitable trusts, foundations, and government bodies for restoration programmes, exhibitions, and educational initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Science and Industry Museum is a nonprofit cultural institution located at the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station (Liverpool Road, Manchester) that operates permanent galleries (Experiment, Power Hall, Revolution Manchester, Textiles Gallery), temporary exhibitions (Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos), interactive experiences (Power Up gaming), online learning platforms (Wonderlab+), educational programmes for schools, and commercial venue hire services. Free general admission is offered with paid special exhibitions, supported by donations, retail, and grants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wonderlab+: Online family-friendly science education platform featuring exciting experiments, games and videos
• Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
• Power Up
• Experiment
• Manchester Science Festival

Products and services

• Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery Free permanent gallery showcasing historic engines and industrial machinery that powered the Industrial Revolution, including sights, smells, and sounds of engine-driven industry. Open daily.
• Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos Exhibition Premium ticketed space-themed interactive exhibition based on the BBC Horrible Science TV series, featuring the Dr Big Brain villain character, astronaut experiences, and space science activities. Adult tickets £10.00; child tickets from £8.70; under 3s free.
• Power Up Gaming Experience Special event gaming experience featuring over 150 consoles spanning five decades of video gaming history, with adaptive controllers (Xbox Adaptive Controller, Logitech Adaptive Gaming Kit, Ultrastik Joystick, Flex Controller, 8BitDo Lite SE Access Controller). Adult day pass from £8; child passes from £7.
• Wonderlab+ Online Learning Platform Online family-friendly platform featuring experiments, games, and videos for science engagement at home. Brand sub-product of the Science Museum Group.
• Early Years Activities (Experitots Sessions) Early years activities including Experitots sessions, story time, imaginative play, Makaton-friendly adventures, and curious moments designed for little learners. Tickets from £10; children from £8.70; under 3s free.
• Science and Industry Museum Online Shop Online store selling toys, gifts, gadgets, and merchandise inspired by the museum's collection stories, Industrial Revolution themes, and special exhibitions such as Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos.
• Commercial Venue Hire Commercial venue hire services for events, corporate functions, and private hire at the museum's heritage location on Liverpool Road, Manchester.
• Experiment Gallery Free interactive permanent gallery for families to explore science in action through hands-on exhibits and demonstrations.
• Manchester Science Festival Annual 10-day science festival featuring events, performances, family activities and hands-on workshops, partnering with University of Salford as lead educational partner and Booking.com and Manchester Airports Group as associate sponsors.
• Schools and Groups Educational Visits Curriculum-aligned educational visits with interactive galleries, shows, and workshops for nurseries, schools, colleges, universities, home educators, uniformed groups (Girlguiding, Scouts), and informal learning providers. Group bookings portal supports itinerary planning. School rate £5.00–£5.50 per person depending on exhibition.
• Summer Holidays 2026 Programme Free summer holiday programme running 18 July – 1 September 2026 featuring space-themed activities, Rocket Wednesdays with the Skybolt 2 rocket from Starchaser, live science demonstrations, and family activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free museum admission ensures accessibility for all visitors
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of SalfordcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Lead educational partner for Manchester Science Festival 2024. Provides academic expertise and collaboration for festival programming and educational content.
• Booking.comminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Associate sponsor for Manchester Science Festival 2024. Provides marketing and promotional support for the annual festival.
• Manchester Airports Group (MAG)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Associate sponsor for Manchester Science Festival 2024. Provides promotional support for the festival.
• BBC Children's and EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produced the Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition with producers of the brand-new BBC Horrible Science TV series.
• Lion Television (All3Media)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with BBC Children's and Education and Scholastic to create the Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition.
• ScholasticcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublishers of the Horrible Science book series by Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony De Saulles. Collaborated on exhibition development.
• UCL Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British SlaverycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Global Threads project - public history collaboration drawing out stories related to Manchester's cotton industry connected to colonialism and enslavement.
• StarchaserminorGTM or Marketing PartnerManchester-based aerospace company providing Skybolt 2 rocket for Rocket Wednesdays during summer holidays 2026.
• Carmody GroarkeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitect, Principal Designer and Lead Designer for Power Hall restoration and gallery reimagination project.
• Gardiner & TheobaldminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject Manager for Power Hall restoration and gallery reimagination project.
• Max Fordham with AdvisianminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerM&E Engineer for Power Hall restoration project, including borehole consultant services.
• Studio MUTTminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExhibition and Interpretation Design for Power Hall restoration and gallery reimagination project.
• Communities For AllcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for City Sparks programme - special events created with young people from local communities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• National Science and Media Museum: Bradford-based sister museum within the Science Museum Group, focused on photography, film, and media technology. Operates the same nonprofit, free-admission model with paid temporary exhibitions and educational programming.
• Science Museum (London): The flagship site of the same Science Museum Group; operates interactive science galleries, blockbuster temporary exhibitions, and IMAX cinema in London. Direct sibling museum with shared collections, branding, and governance.
• Exploratorium: San Francisco-based interactive science museum emphasising hands-on learning, similar target audience of families and school groups, and comparable revenue model combining ticketed exhibitions with educational programming.
• Locomotion (Shildon): Sister museum within the Science Museum Group in County Durham, dedicated to early railway heritage. Closely comparable as a heritage site museum with similar restoration programme exposure.
• Deutsches Museum: Munich-based science and technology museum, one of the world's oldest and largest. Comparable as a heritage science museum with deep collections, interactive galleries, and major special exhibitions.
• Eureka! The National Children's Museum: UK-based children's museum focused on interactive science learning for under-11s. Comparable target audience and hands-on educational programming model, though smaller scale.
• Museum of Science, Boston: Large US nonprofit science museum with similar interactive exhibits, blockbuster exhibitions, and educational programming. Closely comparable operating model with similar revenue mix (admissions, events, retail, corporate sponsorships).
• National Railway Museum: York-based sister museum within the Science Museum Group, focused on railway heritage. Highly comparable as a free-admission cultural institution within the same parent group, with overlapping industrial/transportation content.

Regional players

• Tate Liverpool: UK free-admission cultural institution in a regional city (Liverpool), competing for similar visitor demographics and educational trip itineraries within the North West of England.

Broad incumbents

• Centre Pompidou: Major Paris cultural institution with significant science and technology content alongside broader arts programming. Comparable as a large free-admission cultural venue with premium temporary exhibitions and educational programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/ScienceandIndustryMuseum
• Facebookfacebook.com/scienceandindustrymuseum
• Instagraminstagram.com/scienceandindustrymuseum
• Xx.com/sim_manchester

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Museum of Science and Industry