10 Jun 2014
Richard III Visitor Centre gets opening date
BY Tom Anstey
Leicester's £4m Richard III visitor centre has been given an official opening date of 26 July.
Ahead of the big day, developers are converting a former Victorian school into an education facility, recounting the life and times of the king, whose remains were discovered last year, right next to the new centre, under a council car park.
Designs by Architects Maber and Studio MB also include a new courtyard garden, glass entrance hall, viewing balcony, cafe and visitor entry from Peacock Lane.
The centre, located in the former Alderman Newton School, is also close to Leicester Cathedral, which was last month confirmed as the final resting place for King Richard’s bones, following a lengthy legal battle with distant relatives of the late king.
Leicester City Council – which is funding the project – estimates more than 100,000 people will visit in the first year, generating around £4.5m for the local economy.
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