Lancaster church to be repurposed as public space

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £393,507 to a project which will see a disused Grade II listed church in Lancaster renovated and given a new purpose.

St John’s Church, built in 1754-5, was last used as a place of worship in 1983 and has not benefited from a long-term occupant since. It was damaged by Storm Desmond in 2015 and currently sits on the Heritage at Risk Register, meaning its historic and architectural significance is under threat.

Now The Churches Conservation Trust has plans to renovate the building for use by businesses and the general public. The funds secured from the National Lottery will pay for developing architectural designs, including repair, conservation and devising a sustainable approach to heating and lighting the sizeable building.

The renovated building would include co-working space where businesses, entrepreneurs and students can find hot-desks, meeting rooms and a collaborative, creative community.

Outside of standard office hours, it would be open to the public for concerts, talks, community events and heritage open days.

The funds will also support business planning, marketing, digital advice, heritage interpretation, and a programme of ‘meanwhile’ events and activities to take place in the building as the plans are developed.

Earlier this month, the church featured in Light Up Lancaster with an installation by Anne Bennett; more events like this are planned for 2023 and beyond.

The Churches Conservation Trust will apply for a second lottery grant to complete the capital phase of the project in 2023-4, with reopening scheduled for 2026. Lancaster City Council has pledged up to 20 per cent of the total costs of the capital work up to a maximum of £500,000.

The Chamber at St John’s project has been co-designed through a partnership between the Churches Conservation Trust and Lancaster & District Chamber of Commerce.

Jon Powell, president of the Lancaster and District Chamber of Commerce, said: "Lancaster District has a vibrant business and entrepreneurial community and we want to add a place-based offer to Chamber of Commerce members and the wider community. A place where people can come together, innovate, solve problems and work on the challenges we face in society.

"The Chamber is a community of over 350 businesses and employers and we are excited about the prospect of a co-working offer for the community with the Lancaster and District Chamber fulfilling our role as the beating heart of the business community right in the centre of the city."

Greg Pickup, chief executive of the Churches Conservation Trust said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support, thanks to National Lottery players. This pioneering regeneration project promises a new beginning for St John’s, turning it from a closed and decaying building – with connections to a darker period in British economic history – to a beacon of welcome, enterprise and creativity in Lancaster city centre."