Practice

DRAPER’S HALL, COVENTRY

The Prince’s Foundation is working with partners around the country to develop and deliver a variety of projects in celebration of His Royal Highness’ 70th Birthday in 2018.

Drapers’ Hall, Grade II* listed, is in the heart of Coventry’s cathedral quarter, with the medieval St Mary’s Guildhall adjacent and the iconic Cathedral Ruins opposite. Historic Coventry Trust plans to restore and adapt the hall to create a classical music education and performance venue, primarily for young people. The Prince’s Foundation is providing project management, architectural design and fundraising expertise. Historic Coventry Trust (HCT) was established in 2011 to restore Coventry’s fourteenth-century Charterhouse and open it for public and community use. It has quickly become Coventry’s leading heritage organisation and a major Asset Transfer Framework has been approved by Coventry City Council which will see 22 heritage buildings, including Drapers’ Hall, and five sites transferred to HCT over the next five years.

Drapers’ Hall is Coventry’s finest Regency building, purpose-built for the Drapers’ Guild in 1832 as social rooms, with an ornately decorated ballroom, billiard room and card room. A stunning building, reflecting Coventry’s status as the most important Drapers’ organisation outside London, it is difficult to reuse and has been vacant for 30 years. As an empty building, Drapers’ Hall is a lost opportunity, making no contribution to Coventry’s regeneration and work to change the city’s image. With City of Culture launching in 2021, now is the time to restore Drapers’ Hall and open it up for musical education, performance and as a hub for the community.