Proposals to repair listed building revealed

Energy efficient lighting and heating are part of plans put forward for the

The Almonry

Plans to repair an historic but "at risk" building in Evesham have been put forward.

The Almonry, parts of which date back to 1390, is home to a museum and tourist information centre.

The Grade I listed building, once part of the Evesham Abbey complex, is deteriorating and was placed on Historic England's 'Heritage At Risk' register in 2016.

Proposals submitted to Wychavon District Council form the first phase of the two-part Almonry Restoration Project.

If approved, this would see repairs to the building's walls, roof and timber frame. Stonework would be repointed and modern internal stud walls would be removed.

Energy efficient lighting and heating would also be installed.

Almonry manager Ashleigh Jayes said it had "taken years" to get to this point.

She said the museum had bids for Arts Council funding turned down twice before making it "third time lucky".

"We've had a lot of support from Historic England, including a grant to do enabling works, to bring in experts and go in-depth to investigate the state of the fabric of the building," she said.

Work has included dendrochronology, which dates timbers using the annual growth rings of trees, and timber paint surveys.

"This all helped build up our application and we were awarded £2.175m.

"We have contracted project managers, a design team and we're planning to close the building in September."

Further funding from Historic England allowed a temporary cover to be installed to protect the Almonry's "delightful" tin roof, and Evesham Town Council has also supplied funds towards the restoration of the building.