Cathedral seeking extra £2.4m for revamp costs

LEICESTER Cathedral is looking for a further £2.4 million to cover the rising costs of a major overhaul of the historic building.

Senior clergy want to build a new heritage centre at the front of the cathedral to help handle the increasing numbers of visitors that have been coming after the interment of Richard III.

The scheme has planning permission and the cathedral has already raised millions of pounds towards the project.

The original cost of the scheme was £11.2 million, however, after latest design and planning work was undertaken the bill is now set to be around £12.6 million.

So far, fund-raising for the project called Leicester Cathedral Revealed, has accumulated £10.2 million from various donors and benefactors but that means other sources of cash are needed to plug the gap.

A bid for just over £1.5 million of National Lottery Heritage Fund money has been made but Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council are both to top up the pot with a £350,000 grant each.

The new building is intended to provide learning and exhibition space where the story of King Richard, the cathedral and Leicester’s 2,000 years of history can be better told.

The cathedral says it will help to protect the historic setting and free up the spaces inside for their original purpose.

The project also includes vital works to the interior and exterior of the building, including restoration and conservation of the stonework, windows and ceilings and a new stone floor with underfloor heating throughout.

Deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport Piara Singh Clair said: “The story of the discovery of King Richard III continues to attract visitors from all around the UK and indeed the world. Tourism has always been important to the city and county and as we look to recover from the effects of the pandemic it still has a huge role to play.

“This heritage centre will enable many more visitors as well as locals to find out more about the rich history of the city and the cathedral’s place within it.”

Leader of Leicestershire County Council Councillor Nick Rushton said: “The cathedral serves the city and county, as the reinterment of the King and subsequent events have proved.

“The tourism sector is a significant contributor to the Leicester and Leicestershire economy and the cathedral is at the heart of this, as well as the much wider role it plays in local life.

“I’m pleased that our support will help the cathedral to make this important centre a reality.”

It is hoped that work at the cathedral will begin later this year and complete in the summer of 2023.