Exeter’s oldest building receives lifeline grant from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

St Nicholas Priory is one of 445 heritage organisations across the country set to receive a lifesaving financial boost from the government thanks to the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the coronavirus pandemic.

445 organisations will share £103 million, including the Priory to help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on cherished heritage sites, keeping venues open and supporting those working in the sector.

The Priory will receive a total of £42,700. This money will pay for essential repairs, some development work; equally importantly, the grant enables Exeter Historic Buildings Trust to retain its part-time staff until the end of March.

This vital funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund - funded by Government and administered at arm’s length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans.

445 organisations will receive a share of £67 million from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage to help with costs for operating, reopening and recovery. This includes famous heritage sites across the country, from Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Blyth Tall Ship to the Severn Valley Railway, the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincolnshire to the Piecehall in Halifax. The funds will save sites that are a source of pride for communities across the country.

12 organisations, including English Heritage, Landmark Trust, Historic Royal Palaces and the Canal and River Trust, will receive £34 million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to restart construction and maintenance on cherished heritage sites to preserve visitor attractions and protect livelihoods for some of the most vulnerable heritage specialists and contractors in the sector.

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has also been awarded a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund through Historic England. The AHF will use the funding to support charities and social enterprises occupying historic buildings to develop new business plans and strategies for organisations affected by the pandemic.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post covid.”

Professor James Clark, Chair of EHBT, said: “We are grateful to DCMS for recognising the significance of St Nicholas Priory for the city and people of Exeter. This funding will help us to safeguard the building and its valuable heritage, supporting the hard work of our staff and volunteers to ensure it can continue to thrive as a cultural and community hub in these uncertain times.”

St Nicholas Priory, of which only the north and west wings remain, is the oldest building in Exeter. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1087, it was a Benedictine Priory until the Reformation, which saw much of it demolished. The remaining wings had various existences, including life as Tudor merchants’ houses, a school, a nursery and a museum. Exeter Historic Buildings Trust acquired the north wing (the former refectory) in 1996. It received the west wing in 2018 in a community asset transfer from Exeter City Council.

During the lockdown, staff and volunteers worked hard to establish a covid-secure way of working (assisted by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant). It is now open – free of charge – to members of the public every Sunday. It can currently be booked for Covid-secure events and tours.

Cllr Amal Ghusain Portfolio Holder for Communities & Culture at Exeter City Council said ”I am delighted to learn that Exeter Historic Buildings‘ Trust had been awarded a grant from the Cultural Recovery Fund. This grant will enable essential repairs to St Nicholas Priory to go ahead as well as securing part-time staff jobs till the end of the current financial year. The reopening of this important historic attraction to the public in mid September is having a positive impact on reviving activities and economic recovery in the locality of Fore Street, in Exeter City Centre.”