Successful first stage of application for Heritage Lottery funding for major refurbishments

Warwick Town Council’s ‘Unlocking Warwick’ project was advised by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in March 2010 that it had met with success at the initial stage of its bid. The final bid – drawing up detailed proposals for the conservation, restoration and exciting plans for the future use of this Grade I listed building – is now in hand.

The aim of the project is to make the Court House more accessible to all residents and visitors. With updated facilities for tourist information and the military museum, there is the potential of so much more community use being made of the whole building including the impressive first floor ballroom. Once again, the Court House will be able to rightfully claim to be the hub of the community.

For example, it’s anticipated that the Court House could be at the centre of promoting and hosting events in the year 2014 as part of the 1100th anniversary of the founding of the town.

The HLF stress that an important aspect of the project is to engage continued public interest by inspiring further enquiry and a better understanding of the heritage of the whole town, its iconic buildings and its people, helping to bring history to life. The initial bid involved a report on the important architectural details of the Court House and the building’s use and ownership through the centuries and the short snippets against the project timeline is intended to whet the public’s appetite to show their support.

The final bid is due to be lodged with the Heritage Lottery Fund early in 2011.