The study concluded that an estimated 130,000 visitors per year are expected based on free entry, a city centre site is essential for a museum accessible to visitors and the community, the focus should be on the last 200 years of Cardiff’s industrial rise, and that a strong interactive element is essential with things for children to do, such as sound and film.

Funding from the Millennium Commission and Cardiff Council for celebratory events financed the Museum Project’s first exhibition programme.

Revenue commitments for developing the project were approved together with agreement in principle to support the capital costs of £4 million.

[12] In April and May 2007, as part of the planning process for the new museum, Redman Design and the Cardiff Museum project brought together a diverse group of 25 people representing local history societies, community organisations, historians, archives, libraries, the media, educators, tourism and artists.

This is in addition to the Access, Learning and Young People’s panels and focus groups, who advised on specific aspects of the design and content.

One option involved the Museum of Cardiff leaving the Old Library and becoming a mobile exhibition, saving the council a potential £266,000 a year.

[17] Protests were held in February, leading to the council deciding to keep the museum in the Old Library while they undertook "a detailed examination" of the best way forward.

Preparations included interviews with people who would feature in the exhibition, as well as uncovering some interesting objects such as a Gypsy caravan, lent by the Travellers' Education Service.

Voting for Cardiff ’s Sporting Great in the exhibition was heated but the winner was Colin Jackson, followed by Ryan Giggs and Fred Keanor.

[25] Over 11,000 people visited the exhibition in the first three months ago and over the Easter holidays the Environment Agency Wales held a Flood Awareness Roadshow in the gallery.

The exhibition brought together a range of stories about growing up in Cardiff over the past 150 years, including work, school, leisure and home life.