Community invited to help shape Shippam's exhibition

The Novium Museum is calling on local voices to help shape an exciting exhibition that celebrates the legacy of Chichester's iconic Shippam's brand. 

Thanks to an Arts Council England Unlocking Collections grant, The Novium Museum is developing a headline exhibition which will open in 2025, that showcases the Shippam's advertising archive, along with other objects from the museum's collection.

As part of this project, The Novium Museum will be hosting a focus group on Friday 22nd November 2024, from 1.30pm to 3pm.

The museum is seeking eight community members to join the exhibition's project team and lend their voice to help bring the story of Shippam's to life.

Councillor John Cross, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Place at Chichester District Council, says: "This is a unique opportunity to share your ideas, provide valuable feedback, and have a say in the development of an exhibition that celebrates one of Chichester's most beloved brands.

''For many local Cicestrians, memories of Shippam's are still held dear and it has been a pleasure to be able to capture so many of these stories through the project so far."

Established in 1786, Shippam's was a much loved employer in Chichester, whose success and popularity spread worldwide. Through digitisation, oral histories, and public engagement, the exhibition will explore how family and community shaped one of the best loved brands of the 20^th century.

1974 marked the end of an era for Shippam's, when the former family run business was acquired by the William Underwood Company. Princes, who acquired the company in 2001, took the decision to close the East Street Walls factory, but the factory façade and silver wishbone were retained and can still be seen to this day. 

Anyone interested in participating and shaping this exciting project should register their interest using the following link by Tuesday 12 November: www.thenovium.org/focusgroup.

Selected participants will be contacted with further details.

To find out more about the Shippam's project, and to follow the development progress via the Shippam's blog, visit www.thenovium.org/shippams