Proposals to restore Lichfield Cathedral's position as one of England's great cathedrals have made progress with the recent acquisition of a building in the Cathedral Close for a learning centre and proposals for the restoration of the historic lime avenue.
It has also been announced that the Cathedral will feature on a new Royal Mail 1st Class stamp next spring.
Birmingham-based Kinetic-AIU, an innovative architects' practice which specialises in creating sustainable buildings, has been brought in to see through the changes.
Following an open-competition, which attracted entries from leading practices across the country, they have been appointed to draw up plans for an improved visitor experience at the Cathedral.
The appointment comes just six months after the Cathedral first published interim plans for the new development but Cathedral authorities say those plans were not ambitious enough. They are now looking to further enhance the visitor offering with the creation of a discovery zone which will utilise all the space between the existing restaurant and visitors' centre.
This area will bring together the Cathedral's trading and catering activities into one place and house all services to visitors and pilgrims. The existing Cathedral shops, currently located within the Cathedral and at Number 9 The Close, will be transferred to this area.
In the original plans this area would have also housed a new educational centre to develop the Cathedral's post-graduate facilities. This will now be housed on the ground, first and second floors of number 20 The Close, after the Cathedral recently acquired the first floor of the building. The Cathedral hopes this will provide a much greater space for learners of all ages.
As part of the development plans, the Cathedral is creating a number of new posts and increasing the total number of staff by six. It is also introducing a 7-day week operation to visitors.
