MD North Museum Retail Training Programme, Bowes Museum, 17 June 2025
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open to attend our retail training day at Bowes Museum on 17 June. We are pleased to have appointed trainers Matthew Henderson and Anya Kirkby to deliver the programme. Following the day there will be an opportunity to apply for one-to-one mentoring.
The day will be devised following feedback from those completing the EOI, but is likely to cover:
- An overview of retail in the cultural sector using live case studies, many from our region.
- Product development, financial models and options.
- Visual merchandising and how to create story led ranges.
- Working with suppliers and environmentally sustainable procurement.
- Working with local suppliers, artists and makers.
- Stock management, profit margins, KPIs and minimising risk.
- Marketing and publicity.
The day will be practical with lots of activities to ensure you share learning with your fellow participants. A visit to the Bowes Museum shop is essential and you will also hear a case study from David Nicholls, the museum’s Head of Commercial and Visitor Welcome. We will provide a lovely complimentary lunch and refreshments during the day.
A range of training resources will be available to take away and turn your inspiration into action back in the workplace.
Places will be limited, so please complete the EOI fully by 16 May. The EOI can be found here.
Access: The training will take place in the Jubilee Room on the 2nd floor which is accessible by lift. The lift is approximately 60 metres from the room, but there is also a service lift which delegates can use if requested which is about 10-15 metres from the room. For more information about access please visit here.
About our Trainers
Matthew Henderson works freelance across the cultural and tourism sectors supporting organisations to develop their visitor experience and commercial opportunities. From strategy creation and creative direction to project management and delivery, Matthew has been involved in some of the sector’s most forward thinking and exciting projects. Matthew is a Trustee of The Association for Cultural Enterprises and has won several national awards. Before working freelance Matthew held many key positions at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North including Head of Commercial Operations and Development and Keeper of Social History. Matthew is an accomplished public speaker, having spoken at some of the sector’s largest conference and events. Matthew was even awarded with a special recognition award by the Durham Federation for Women’s Institutes in recognition of the many museum-based talks he delivered to their members – the second male in history to be awarded such recognition!
Anya Kirkby is one of the heritage sector’s leading talents, she seamlessly blends curatorial and museum-based knowledge with practical operational skills and ‘real life’ support. Anya has a MA in Museum Studies and played a key part in the operation and development of Beamish, The Living Museum of the North. Anya now supports a wide range of organisations with their development. From mentoring volunteer led organisations on commercial development to creating retail ranges for national museums and galleries, Anya’s work is broad but consistently makes a real difference to the individuals and organisations she supports. Having first operated 1900s printing presses in a museum exhibit, Anya is self-taught in digital design. Her design work has ranged from huge billboards in city centre’s to creating thousands of retail designs for cultural venues – and even designing sweets for Banksy!
Matthew and Anya regularly work together to support cultural organisations to operate and developing successful retail initiatives. They have worked on many different retail projects, from creating new shops to developing new products ranges. Recent clients include Amgueddfa Cymru, Barnsley Museums, Birmingham Museum Trust, Black Country Living Museum, Durham Cathedral, Hopetown Darlington, London Wildlife Trust, The Postal Museum and many more.
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