Bidder chosen to re-open ‘city’s birthplace’ venue
THE re-opening of the ‘internationally important’ Lady Godiva-founded Priory Visitor Centre (PVC) has moved a step closer following the Observer’s campaign – with the selection of an organisation to step in and run it.
We have learned ‘Inspiring Communities’ led by local businesswoman Carole Donnelly has won the council’s bidding process to take over the home to the remains of the city’s 1,000-year-old first cathedral and priory, closed to the world in February in Coventry City Council cuts.
It is understood Ms Donnelly and Inspiring Communities beat one other bid to become the ‘preferred bidder’.
The historic tourist venue’s re-opening in expected this autumn once further legal work is completed and a formal decision is taken by the cabinet member for community development, councillor Linda Bigham.
Ms Donnelly told us her winning bid proposed a model which would see the venue run as a social enterprise, with other social enterprise businesses operating cultural and other activities from the multi-purpose venue.
She revealed her bid proposed five categories for what the re-opened venue in its prime city centre Priory Place location will offer – history; tourism; education (promoting the city’s mediaeval story to future generations); a community space (including for a multi-faith group which currently uses the function room); and ‘health and wellbeing’ (including yoga and other classes, and a healthy eating cafe).
Ms Donnelly said it will initially run on the three-year lease on which bidders were invited to bid, which had raised concerns about the venue’s long-term sustainability.
She added: “We will look to negotiate a sustainable long-term solution with the cathedral as freeholder and the council (the lessee) to make sure it’s a strong sustainable business going forward.”
She added the bid had the backing of the Coventry University Social Enterprise Club, which is providing support over the business model; and preservation group the Coventry Society which might also provide volunteers.
Jobs and apprenticeships would be created by the various social enterprises, she added. Bids for funding could be made to the Lottery and other organisations.
I was there a couple of weeks ago and the space in front of the office had become a hangout for druggies and winos.