Work has begun on a £7m redevelopment project on the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester.

The project is being led by architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams and funded jointly by the European Regional Development Fund, North West Development Agency (NWDA), DCMS, Garfield Weston and a number of other trusts and foundations.

The improvement works will include the removal of the metal ramps at the heart of the 130-year-old, Grade II-listed building, a procedure which will free up more than 1,000sq m (10,800sq ft) of space for exhibition and access purposes.

In this space, a new main entrance will take visitors straight into the orientation area, rather than through the coffee shop as at present.

The entrance will be linked to a new Revolution Manchester gallery where some of Manchester's leading inventions and objects will be put on display.

The entrance will also provide a focal point for MOSI's work with Industrial Powerhouse, which promotes the North West's industrial heritage through a range of attractions, events and trails.

MOSI’s restaurant and conferencing suite will be moved to the front of the building, on the first and second floors respectively, with larger kitchens and better facilities to cater for increased visitor numbers and conferencing guests.

The Experiment Gallery will be expanded and moved from the second floor to a dedicated, purpose-built space on the first floor.

Four new classrooms will be constructed to further develop the museum's educational programme which already benefits a total of 100,000 schoolchildren every year.

The boiler, which powers the museum's historic collection of working steam engines in the Power Hall will be moved from its current home in the basement of the Main Building, to make way for the construction work. Extra toilets and lockers will be installed in the basement.

According to a project spokesperson, the nine-month revamp aims to fundamentally change the "currently cluttered building" into a clearly defined place.

David Shatwell from Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams said: "This is a fabulous opportunity to improve the visitor experience creating a stunning first impression for visitors and a clear new orientation space.

"By opening up many sections of the historic warehouse, we are expressing its true scale and architectural character, while providing a highly appropriate setting to a wide range of exhibits."

"A world class museum needs world class facilities that open it up to wider audiences and potential business opportunities. The reconfiguration of the Lower Byrom Street Warehouse will enable the Museum to cater for a much wider range of activities with improved education facilities, corporate and entertainment facilities."

The project is the first phase of Revolution MOSI, the museum's ambitious development plan, which will eventually include the redevelopment of the Air & Space Hall on Lower Byrom Street and a new Road Transport Gallery in Upper Campfield Market on Liverpool Road.