The abbey, which was founded in the 12th century as a nuns’ monastery, received a grant worth £3.6 million from the Lottery Heritage Fund to finance the restoration and preservation of the main buildings, and scaffolding is now being erected to allow repairs to the roof.
In addition to the money received from the National Lottery, the restoration work has also been backed to the tune of £200,00 by Northampton Borough Council, with additional investment coming from a range of sources – including donations from the public and from private trusts. The lengthy renovation process will be undertaken in stages, with the initial focus being on ensuring that the roof is secure, before the major work of converting the building starts later in the year.
Local councillor David Mackintosh said:
“The restoration of Delapre Abbey is an important step in protecting and preserving our town‘s rich history.”
The Plans for Delapre Abbey are intended to allow the building to become a focal point of community life in Northampton, while preserving its heritage status. They will see the conservatory rebuilt and the south wing refurbished and opened to the general public for the first time. Alongside the café/restaurant intended for the current Billiards Room and the conversion of the stables into an education and visitor centre, the abbey will be used both for tours and hosting events, with the help of brochure printers in Northampton able to supply materials to promote them.Get a Free Quote for Plans