Berwick granary wins £1m transformation grant
BERWICK was last night handed a cash boost towards its revival, with a maximum £1m grant. The money came as part of the latest round of funding from the Government's Sea Change programme, which aims to reinvigorate our resorts by investment in culture and heritage.
Berwick's £1m will go towards the restoration and conversion of the town's Dewars Lane Granary into a cultural and exhibition venue.
The Berwick granary award brings the total funding pledged towards the transformation of the derelict 239-year-old building to £4.2m and means the project needs just £600,000 more to reach its target.
More talks will now be held with local backers to see if the final funding gap can be bridged.
Finance already committed to the project, which unlocked the door to Sea Change money, has come from One NorthEast via Northumberland Strategic Partnership, English Heritage, the Northern Rock Foundation, Berwick Council, Northumberland County Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Youth Hostel Association and donations from trusts and individuals.
Chairman of Berwick Preservation Trust Jamie Andrew said: "This is absolutely fantastic news which brings our vision ever closer to reality. The decision by the Government to award the highest possible grant is a clear sign that it believes in the project.
"It was grain that helped to make Berwick prosperous and a new Dewar's Lane Granary will bring economic benefits to the whole of Berwick."
The trust's executive officer John Smithson said: "We are taking nothing for granted, but having now got so close we are even more determined to complete the financial jigsaw and restore a very important piece of Berwick's heritage." The granary will be converted into six floors with an arts and exhibition centre, a bistro with outside courtyard seating, meeting rooms and a 42-bed youth hostel.
The listed granary and its distinctive 1.2 metre leaning walls were painted by artist LS Lowry in 1936.
Berwick Borough Council leader Isabel Hunter said: "The new granary will help transform the historic quayside area in Berwick."
We'd like to hear from you. Send your stories, pics and videos
Older/Newer
« Berwick football teams in action over the weekend | MoD Chathill wind farm opposition dropped »
Click here to find some great days out and fantastic family attractions,
Click here to read the new edition of Your Place, incorporating Northumberland County Council's Your County magazine.
Keep up to date subscribe to our RSS feed
We want to publish your blog on one of our community websites. Find out more.
Living or working in Berwick? We'd like to hear from you. Send your stories, pics and videos
Journal Extra, Northumberland's free weekly, is inside copies of The Journal across the county every Thursday, and can also be picked up from these locations around Berwick »
Leave a comment