Cheshire-based Mather and Co has announced that it has been awarded the design contract for the new National Football Museum, which is relocating from Preston to Manchester.

The group has been appointed to work on all aspects of museum content following a tender process, which will include external signage, lighting, graphics and 3D structures.

In addition to the National Football Museum's permanent gallery and audio-visual theatre, Mather and Co has also been chosen to work on the building's retail and hospitality space.

A key area of focus in the design of the attraction at the Urbis building will be the flow of visitors through the property, which will require new staircases and escalators.

Mather and Co project designer Dan Procter said: "What makes this project brief so exciting is the fact we are responsible for every aspect of the design, planning and implementation process.

"The new National Football Museum will be an exciting addition to visitor attractions in Manchester."

Manchester City Council's Mike Amesbury added: "The National Football Museum will be an international-standard museum attracting up to 350,000 visitors a year and helping attract investment and jobs to Manchester."

The announcement follows the opening of the new Chelsea Football Club museum earlier this summer, which was another project that Mather and Co worked on.

Image: The NFM's new Manchester home will be at the Urbis centre - Daniel Hopkinson