City of Wolverhampton Council is to invest £318,000 in developing Bantock House Museum and Park.

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The improvements will increase commercial income and visitor footfall at the historic venue, which will fund the cost of the project.

The plans are expected to increase catering income through the café and through private hire, as well as deliver a broader programme of events to attract paying audiences - such as the recent all-new one-day acoustic music festival, Banstock - and a more popular exhibitions programme.

Development work will see:

  • doorways from the café to the house knocked through to double the number of covers the café can offer
     
  • creation of a route from tractor shed hire spaces to the toilets, also offering better disabled access
     
  • an additional seating area in the front garden of the house
     
  • creation of an accessible entrance at the front of the house
     
  • a courtyard canopy to improve the flexibility and appeal of the space for private hire
     
  • gates and hedge planting to secure the garden area, preventing vandalism and offering an event space for weddings etc.
     
  • improved access to the garden areas

English Heritage has made its recommendations, which have been incorporated in the plans for the Grade II listed building.

Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, said: "It is essential we invest in our visitor economy if we are to increase footfall to our city venues.

"Bantock House Museum and Park is one of our most historic attractions and these improvements will encourage more people to go and see its fantastic offering."

The works are expected to be carried out in early 2017, avoiding disruption to visitors during the peak summer months.

  • released: Wednesday 20 July, 2016