Published: Thursday, 31st May 2018

Warwick District Council's Executive Committee has agreed to support the plans to seek a multi-million pound lottery bid to help restore and enhance the Lord Leycester Hospital in Warwick.

A contribution of £100,000 has been agreed to be made towards the proposal which overall seeks to invest £3 million with £1.8million of that from Heritage Lottery Funds and the rest coming from a variety of other sources.

The Lord Leycester Hospital has been at the centre of Warwick town’s civic life for 700 years.  However, its physical fabric, which includes the remaining part of the Town Wall, is deteriorating significantly.  It is vital that the Lord Leycester Hospital survives and that its designated heritage assets, which are of the highest significance, are appropriately maintained for the enjoyment and education of future generations. Without a significant financial investment there is a danger that The Lord Leycester Hospital, and the Warwick Town Wall, could soon be considered to be heritage ‘at risk’.

The bid also includes provision for new disabled access, opening up areas not previously accessible to the public, and providing new visitor facilities to ensure the Lord Leycester Hospital serves as a major heritage venue that strengthens Warwick’s overall economy and tourism offer and enhances quality of life for Warwick’s growing residential population.

Councillor Noel Butler, Portfolio Holder for Business commented;

"It is in the public interest for the Council to work in partnership with the Lord Leycester Hospital as it will bring huge benefits for the town,  safeguarding its existing heritage assets; providing new facilities that will enhance the quality of life for Warwick’s growing residential population, (which includes over a hundred new town centre living dwellings and five thousand dwellings in the strategic urban extension); and strengthen Warwick’s economy and tourism offer."

Master of Lord Leycester Hospital, Heidi Meyer comments;

“Many thanks to Warwick District Council for showing this level of recognition and support to what we are trying to achieve at the Lord Leycester – that is creating a centre of gravity for Warwick that embraces all elements of the community and a seven century history of governance and philanthropy in Warwick.  I have no doubt that the level of support the Council has agreed, will go a very long way in demonstrating to Heritage Lottery Fund that we have the support of the local authorities and I am exceedingly grateful.”

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