Old Grammar School's £9 million revamp visited by Visit England boss - The Coventry Observer

Old Grammar School's £9 million revamp visited by Visit England boss

Coventry Editorial 15th May, 2015 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

COVENTRY Transport Museum and the Old Grammar School received a visit from a very special guest.

Viscountess Lady Penelope Cobham CBE, Chief Executive of Visit England, made an official visit to the city to see for herself how the £9 million redevelopment programmes are progressing.

Lady Cobham was among the first to see some of the new Transport Museum exhibitions, as well as inspecting the impressive restoration and conservation work being undertaken inside the Old Grammar School.

The Grade I listed school building on the corner of Bishop Street and Hales Street has been everything from a monastery and early town, to a Grammar school named after King Henry VIII.




But, as part of the Transport Museum’s multi-million pound development the Grammar School will be restored to its former glory to be used as a small exhibition and event space.

Speaking about her visit, Lady Cobham, CBE said: “It was wonderful to see the brilliant work being done to restore the 12th Century Old Grammar School and transform the Coventry Transport Museum.


“This is an enormous opportunity for Coventry and I know will be an added draw for visitors to the city and cause for celebration when they officially reopen this summer.”

Gary Hall, Chief Executive of Culture Coventry, the trust that runs Coventry Transport Museum, said Lady Cobham’s visit ‘couldn’t be timelier’ with the Old Grammar School re-opening to the public for the first time in decades.

He added: “Coventry is home to a wealth of incredible historic and cultural attractions, which are enjoyed visitors from around the world.

“We’re confident that these new developments, generously funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund, will bring thousands of new visitors into Coventry, and with them will come a significant boost to the local economy.”

Both Coventry Transport Museum and the Old Grammar School are set to re-open in June, with a grand relaunch of Coventry Transport Museum planned for Saturday, June 20.

The re-opening will be marked by a free launch event, including a spectacular stunt show and ribbon cutting ceremony taking place on Millennium Place outside the museum.

Observer photographer, Jon Mullis, went along to Lady Cobham’s tour and captured these photos.

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