The National LotteryHeritage Fund awarded an initial grant of 168,000 in September 2017 to developthe project, which will conserve and bring into public use for the first timethe 12th century Undercroft to College Hall. It also involves theconservation of the over-life size carving of Christ in Majesty in CollegeHall.
During the developmentphase, the Cathedral worked with local consultants to progress itsconsultations with the community, particularly with audiences who do notcurrently engage with the Cathedral to develop new and inspiring activities.The project supports national and regional priorities and will contribute tothe prosperity of the county by attracting more visitors, help develop theskills of local people and help to boost the local economy.
The development phase alsoincluded securing 500,000 in matched funding. A fundraising campaign waslaunched in November 2017 and received overwhelming support. The Cathedral isvery grateful to everyone who has supported the campaign to enable it tosuccessfully reach the target.
The Very Reverend DrPeter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester Cathedral says:
We are delighted toreceive this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and we send ourwarmest thanks to them and to the many individuals, businesses and charitabletrusts who donated so generously to the fundraising campaign and who took partin the consultations. The Undercroft will provide a fantastic new venue in theheart of the city which we are aiming to open it to the public in the Autumn of2020.
Becky Clark, the Church of EnglandsDirector of Churches and Cathedrals, said:
Creatingpositive and lasting change for people and communities is a vision The NationalLottery Heritage Fund shares with cathedrals, so the news that WorcesterCathedral has benefitted from this most recent round of funding is tremendous.
"The value of our cathedrals is clear to the 10million people who visit each year, and to the hundreds of thousands whoregularly attend worship.
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Artistic impression of the future Undercroft space was created by architects, Acanthus Clews.
