Bold Vision for City Heritage

Conservative plans for a new heritage centre for the city look a step closer yesterday as additonal funds were approved to draw up a detailed lottery fund bid.

If the bid is successful a new multi million pound heritage centre will be developed on the West Wing of the Civic Centre. This will be a national attraction and may include a permenant Titanic Exhibit in 2012, ready for the 100th anniversary of sinking of the famous liner.

The new heritage centre will mean the restoration of the old magistrates courts which have fallen into decline in recent years.

The heritage centre will link in with the redevelopment of Northern Above Bar and the new arts quarter and guidhall square.

Lottery Grant for Tudor House

Southampton has been awarded over £334,000 for Tudor House. The award comes after the decision by the new Conservative Council to allocate £540,000 to support a project to reopen the building as a museum and herritage attraction. There is also a chance for Southampton City Council to be awarded with £3.5million.

Work is estimated to take two years to complete, opening its doors to the public in April 2011. It is aimed that Tudor House becomes an accessible and enjoyable experience for local people and visitors to the city. Lifts will be installed, along with a new café and displays will tell the fascinating stories of the building those who lived and worked there.

Alongside Tudor House, plans will be developed for King John’s Palace and the Tudor Merchants’ Hall to bring the full heritage of the old town back to life.

Click HERE for more news on Tudor House.

Celebrating Southampton's Heritage

RMS Titanic

Later this month Southampton's new Conservative led Council will push ahead with plans for a heritage centre in the West Wing of the Civic Centre, to celebrate and displaythe city's colourful history.


Southampton has a heritage offer of international standing. The Titanic, the Spitfire, Jane Austen, King Canute, Henry V and the departure to the battle of Agincourt, D-Day, and cruise liners such as the Queen Mary II are of worldwide interest. Of more local interest the Roman, Anglo-Saxon andmedieval history shapes the city of Southampton today.


On 17th September the council will agree to apply for lottery funding to renovate the Civic Centre's Wing Wing, a grade 2 listed building, which includes the old magistrates courts and the police headquarters. The police are due to vacant the building 2010.

The new heritage centre will be open by 2012, the 100th anniversary of the fateful sailing of RMS Titanic from Southampton.

Full details of the council report being considered on 17th September can be found by clicking HERE.