After the Fashion Museum closes its doors at Bath Assembly Rooms for the last time, the National Trust plans to turn the historic building into 'an experience that will transport visitors to Georgian Bath.'

The Fashion Museum will close on October 30 and its collection will be moved into storage until its new location is ready to open. In March, the direct running of the Assembly Rooms will be taken over by the National Trust, which owns the building and activated a break clause in its lease agreement with Bath and North East Somerset Council in 2019.

Tim Boden, general manager of the National Trust, said: "This is a hugely exciting opportunity to bring this important building to life.

"Taking over Bath Assembly Rooms will allow the National Trust to develop new experiences in the centre of Bath, telling the stories of the Georgian city in a building that was the heart of its social scene in the late eighteenth-century, and making these relevant to today"

The National Trust expects to open this experience 'in a few years' as they look into the history of the building, finalise plans, and undertake building work.

In its statement, a spokesman for the National Trust said: "During this time we want to share the work going on behind the scenes, the stories we uncover and get feedback on our plans for the future.

"We are also working with partner organisations to see how the rooms can be used for public benefit during this period."

Mr Boden added: "We're working closely with our many friends and partners in the city to develop our plans for Bath Assembly Rooms. Bath benefits from a wide range of high-quality museums and visitor attractions, and we want to complement and support their existing offers."

The Fashion Museum will move to the Old Post Office on New Bond Street. It will reopen in three to eight years depending on funding.