£750,000 overhaul for Shrewsbury's Catholic Cathedral
Shrewsbury's landmark Roman Catholic Cathedral will get a £750,000 overhaul, including a cafe, heritage centre and improved parking, councillors have agreed.
Two properties on Belmont also owned by the church will form part of the remodelling works approved by Shropshire Council.
The Grade II listed properties, which were built around 1800, are currently used for living and office use — and contain the stately rooms for the Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury.
The work will make the site more accessible to visitors and will incorporate a new cafe, small shop and visitors centre.
There will also be extensive re-roofing, re-plumbing, rewiring and the removal of the dated extension at the rear of the property.
The garden to the rear of the Belmont properties and to the side of the cathedral will be landscaped and walls removed to create better parking facilities.
Canon Jonathan Mitchell said: "This is a very exciting time for the cathedral. It will see the main body of the church being fully open and accessible to all. There will also be landscaping of the grounds and the building of a new cafe, shop and heritage centre. It will make it all more attractive to visitors and parishioners."
It is hoped that all the work will be completed by October. "The cathedral has a history of being added to over the years and this is our opportunity to do so," added Canon Mitchell.
The cathedral was awarded a £280,000 grant last year for repairs to the roof.
According to a design statement submitted to the council: "The modifications to the car park and external grounds will enhance the accessibility and circulation of people through the site which will improve the connection of the cathedral south entrance to the rear of the Belmont buildings."
The changes will see the properties on Belmont being used for residential purposes on the first, second and attic levels and office, admin suites and the stately rooms on the first floor.
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The basements will be transformed in to a cafe, small shop and heritage centre. There will also be storage spaces and a laundry.
The cathedral, which was designed by Edward Pugin and consecrated in 1856, will also undergo major works which will improve access with new steps and a platform lift.
Wrought iron and cast iron railings will be installed and new gates will be made.
The work will involve the dismantling of the existing side walls of the central porch and the porch ceiling so it can be re-configured to suit the new design.
The historic church's full name is the Cathedral Church of Our Lady Help of Christians and St Peter of Alcantara.
