New lease of life for heritage centre (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

New lease of life for heritage centre

THE Cotswold Heritage Centre is to be given a new lease of life - four years after closing.

Cotswold District Council agreed this week to inject £150,000 into giving the facility a facelift.

The news means the visitors will once again be able to see the historic courtroom and parts of the previous rural life collection housed there.

In addition, there will be a cafe, and the Cotswolds Conservation Board - formerly the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - will also move into the new centre from its current base next door.

CDC portfolio holder for sport and culture David Fowles said: "This is a very positive move by the council to bring an historic building back into public use after listening to the wishes of local people.

"The centre was closed by a previous administration as it cost the council more than £180,000 per year to run as a museum.

"However, we have come up with a scheme for the centre which is more cost-effective than simply continuing to mothball the building.

"We will be leasing improved facilities to the conservation board and receiving a percentage of the cafe's turnover once it reaches an agreed level."

The centre housed 30,000 objects of rural and social history but was closed in November 2001 as part of £2 million worth of cuts across the area.

The council said the centre was making a loss but the public slammed the move amid fears it could impact on tourism in Northleach.

A campaign was launched to save the centre and talks were held between the private sector, town council and CDC.

A number of options were then drawn up, including the possibility of selling the facility, but on Tuesday, councillors agreed to invest in the building instead.

Some 250 items, including ploughs, wagons and carts from the Lloyd-Baker collection will go on display and admission to the centre will be free.

The Cotswolds Conservation Board (CCB) will also have its own display. CCB director Martin Lane said: "I am delighted that the heritage centre building is going to be used again.

"The new offices for the Conservation Board will provide us with much needed additional space and help us to continue our important work conserving and enhancing the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."

CDC hopes to re-open the centre by April 2006. The adjoining old police house, which is the current home of the Cotswolds Conservation Board will then be re-let.