Underneath the Archway.

B&NES Leader Cllr Tim Warren (L) with Bath MP Ben Howlett

The Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Cllr Tim Warren, has today shown Bath’s new MP, Ben Howlett, around the site of the planned Archway Centre.

The Council plans to create a state-of-the-art Roman Baths Learning Centre above the former city laundry in Swallow Street and a World Heritage Visitor Centre in 10 York Street.

The £5 million project will provide two new facilities for Bath:

· The World Heritage Centre will be the first dedicated facility in the city centre to explain to residents and visitors alike just why Bath is a World Heritage Site, encouraging them to explore its many important features.

· The Learning Centre will greatly improve educational facilities at the Roman Baths, enabling a wider programme of learning activities to take place, for schools and learning groups of all ages.

The project will also enable Roman Baths visitors to walk through spaces beneath York Street excavated in the 1880s by City Architect, Major C.E. Davies, and see parts of the site never previously open to regular public access.

Cllr Tim Warren (Conservative, Mendip) Leader of the Council, said: “The city’s new MP, Ben Howlett, wanted to see for himself the site of this exciting project. I was able to share with him our vision to help bring to life our heritage.

The illustration shows the proposed Archway Centre. Click on images to enlarge.

“The Roman Baths are the most important Roman archaeological site in the country. We want to improve the experience for school groups visiting the Baths and provide a better interpretation of the World Heritage Site for everyone. We have been very successful in gaining external funding for this work, which will benefit local residents and support our tourism economy.”

The Council submitted a successful round one development grant application* to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for £168,100 in 2014.

In June, residents and community representatives were invited to share their ideas for the proposed new Archway Centre.

Council staff are now working with the design team to prepare a round two application to the HLF early in 2016 for capital funding for the project.

Roman monumental stones ‘scattered’ on the floor. An area the public would get to see.

Background Info:

Local architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBS) have been appointed lead designers for the planned ‘Archway Centre’.

Other members of the design team are Bath-based structural and civil engineers Integral Engineering Design and mechanical and electrical engineers Method Consulting from Swindon.

1. * Heritage Grants (HG) applications are assessed in two rounds. A first-round pass is given when HLF has endorsed outline proposals and earmarked funding. A first-round pass may also include an immediate award to fund the development of the project. Detailed proposals are then considered by HLF at second-round and as long as plans have progressed satisfactorily and according to the original proposal, an award for the project is confirmed.

2. From the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife, we use National Lottery players’ money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about. http://www.hlf.org.uk.

3. For further information about the Archway Centre see www.romanbaths.co.uk/archwaycentre
4. For further information about the City of Bath UNESCO World Heritage Site see http://www.bathworldheritage.org.uk/