Historic sites are set to be turned into accommodation for City of Culture visitors

HALF a million pounds will be spent transforming historical sites in Coventry - some into accommodation for those heading here for City of Culture.

The sites are among several across the country to receive money to revitalise high streets and town centres from the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF).

The Lychgate Cottages near Coventry Cathedral will be transformed into a place for visitors to stay during Coventry’s year as City of Culture in 2021.

And 22 historic properties including the 19th Century Drapers’ Hall have also got a slice of the cash.

Number 3-5 Priory Row will be getting a capital grant of £350,000.

Known as Lychgate Cottages, these three close-studded timber frame properties date from around 1415 and are the only upstanding buildings surviving from the 12th century St Mary’s Priory complex.

Historic Coventry Trust intend to turn the cottages into much-needed visitor accommodation in the lead up to Coventry City of Culture 2021.

A Heritage Development Pilot Grant of £150,000 will support Historic Coventry Trust through a key transition period as they take on 22 historic properties from Coventry City Council and re-purpose them for the future.

These include the national demonstrator project for High Street Heritage Action Zones at Hales Street, the 14th Century Swanswell and Cook Street Gates (the only two of the medieval gates to survive), the late-medieval Charterhouse site and the 19 th Century Greek Revival Drapers’ Hall.

The properties will be restored to provide commercial and public spaces, events venues and unique visitor attractions and holiday cottages in time for Coventry’s 2021 City of Culture year.

Ian Harrabin, Chairman of Historic Coventry Trust, said: “These are two very different awards but both will be of great benefit to the city.

“Historic Coventry Trust is a lean but ambitious organisation and we have got lots to achieve over the next couple of years.

“Obviously handling such important and varied projects requires a wide range of skills and is time-intensive, so the Heritage Development Pilot Grant of £150,000 will help us build and sustain those capabilities.

“The £350,000 towards 3-5 Priory Row is a massive boost towards transforming these three 15Century buildings into unique visitor accommodation while respecting their architectural merit and outstanding historical importance.”