Birmingham Conservation Trust has attacked the regional development agency for pulling out of a major scheme to regenerate the city’s 19th century former coffin works as a museum and visitor centre.
The trust says the agency’s sudden decision to withdraw a promised £1.5 million grant has left it in a difficult financial position.
The development agency, Advantage West Midlands and the Conservation Trust had agreed to restore the derelict Grade II* listed Newman Brothers building in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter in 2002. After the building, which is on English Heritage’s Buildings at Risk register, was featured in the BBC Restoration programme, English Heritage also agreed a £250,000 grant for the scheme.
But AWM withdrew funding earlier this year because of a shortfall in government funding.
The Conservation Trust has suggested that AWM cut its grant instead, allowing the former coffin works to be reopened for commercial use, with the museum and visitor centre to be opened at a later date. But AWM have not responded.
Trust director Elizabeth Perkins said,” They really don’t understand heritage and they haven’t thought about the consequences of owning a historic listed building.”
She added, “Most of our income is drawn at the end of a project. If our partner pulls out, the loss of income is a significant setback for the sustainability of our small charity.”