Coventry Society welcomes new move to protect city's history

Buy photos » Development plans are in place to restore Drapers Hall. (s)

ONE of the city's most historic buildings is to be restored to its former glory.

The city council, Coventry University and the Alan Higgs Charity have acquired Drapers Hall in the Cathedral Quarter.

The plans would see the former home of the Magistrates' Courts Service opened up for the first time since the 1980s and transformed into a unique centre for the learning, practice and performance of music.

Drapers Hall is one of just five heritage buildings identified for restoration and regeneration by the Coventry Society back in 2010.

The former County Hall has been converted into a bar and restaurant with office space above, a planning application has been submitted for the restoration of the Old Grammar School in Hales Street and in November last year Charterhouse building, off London Road, was transferred to the Charterhouse Coventry Preservation Trust (CCPT) which will look to return it to public use.

That just leaves the former Whitefriars Monastery still in need of regeneration.

"It gives us at the Coventry Society great pleasure and satisfaction to learn of the progress with four out of five of the targeted buildings," said Coventry Society chairman Keith Draper.

"It is pleasing to see our efforts and those of other individuals and organisations are now coming to fruition so not only are historic buildings restored, but the areas surrounding them benefit from the economic and social regeneration that these restorations spur."

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