Gloucester's Llanthony Secunda Priory has been awarded 拢235,000 of National Lottery funding to help it 'secure a sustainable future'.
The funding will ensure the Llanthony Secunda Priory Trust can continue to manage, restore and preserve the site for the benefit of the public for years to come, through investment in its staff, technology and marketing, along with the next phase of its restoration.
A unique heritage venue with nearly 900 years of history, today the priory is run as a popular wedding and events venue and visitor attraction, with the trust, a registered charity that relies on its own activities to generate income, having overseen its restoration since 海角社区 ownership from Gloucester City Council in 2007.
Awarded over three years, the funding will be used for the trust's Resilient and Sustainable project, which includes the recruitment of a chief executive to lead a new leadership and operational structure, oversee staff and volunteer development, and drive forward a refreshed income generation and fundraising strategy.
The project will also invest in training for staff and volunteers, improve digital systems through a new website and ticketing platform, and enhance marketing and audience engagement.
It will support continued income generation through events, weddings and venue hire, and enable further site development, including canalside land and plans for the restoration and reuse of the remaining historic buildings.
Paul James, chair of trustees at the priory, said: 'We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
'Thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to move forward with our aim of making the trust sustainable for the long term.
'I would like to thank my fellow trustees and the team at Llanthony, who worked so hard to put our application together, and our partners who supported the bid.'
Stuart McLeod, director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund for England 鈥� London & South, said: 'We鈥檙e delighted to support Llanthony Secunda Priory with this funding, made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
'This project will help secure the long-term future of this remarkable heritage site while strengthening the organisation behind it.
'At the Heritage Fund, we鈥檙e committed to helping the heritage sector become adaptive and resilient for the future and supporting projects like this plays an important role in achieving this.'
