St Peter’s is being developed into an even more vibrant and welcoming cultural centre for the people of Sudbury and the surrounding area.
This Grade I listed building has stood at the heart of Sudbury life since the 14th century. Its distinctive architecture and unusual features provide fascinating insights into the development of the town and its changing population over the years.
But the building is not only a prominent landmark, it is also Sudbury’s main venue for large community events. It is exceptionally well used for a whole range of activities, but with leaking roofs, inadequate kitchen/bar space, and lack of toilets, the long-term use of the building is uncertain. It is therefore in need of urgent repairs and new facilities to make it sustainable for the future.
Our ambitious project to regenerate the building has secured initial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and work is now well underway to develop plans for its transformation.
Project Vision
Regeneration for the Future & Sustaining St Peter’s Heritage
The regeneration project will repair and regenerate St Peter’s as a cultural centre for the town, embedding it further into the heart of Sudbury for generations to come.
Through enhanced historical interpretation facilities and a varied cultural and activity programme, it will also build upon St Peter’s traditions as a site for the exchange of memories, experiences, ideas and industry. The building will be transformed into a vibrant space that welcomes a diverse local and visitor audience to share in the stories of the church and Sudbury.
Your Key Contact:
For more information on the regeneration project at St Peter’s, please contact Allison Burke, Development Officer.
E: aburke@thecct.org.uk
T: 07799 424078
Project Facts:
Improvements
The regeneration project will deliver the following improvements:
- A contemporary internal new build to the major entrance at the West end providing an improved and more welcoming lobby;
- A mezzanine floor, meeting and events area;
- The provision of toilets;
- An upgrade to the kitchen and bar facilities;
- The opening of the south chapel;
- Improvements and access to gardens around the church;
- New roofs and other upgrades to the fabric of the building.
Alongside these physical changes to the building, St Peter’s will also expand its programme of heritage and cultural activities. These are designed to appeal to all ages of residents of Sudbury and neighbouring areas, as well as to visitors of this lively market town.
Funding & Project Costs
In March 2018 the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded us funding of £275,500 to develop our proposals for St Peter’s. This development grant* has enabled us to recruit Alli Burke as Development Officer for the project, who will help us prepare for the next stage of our application process.
We anticipate the project will cost £2.5m. We now have until March 2020 to work up our designs and operational plans and to secure the all-important £400,000 match funding. A local Campaign Board has been established to help achieve this ambitious fundraising goal.
Plan for Closure
In order to undertake the repair and upgrading of St Peter’s, it will be necessary to close the site for a period of around 12 months (currently anticipated summer 2021 to summer 2022).
We are continuing to liaise with all our hirers and other users of the building to give as much notice of this inevitable disruption as possible and are in active discussions with other venues to help ensure our current activities can continue during St Peter’s closure.
Contribution to Sudbury
Together with the HLF-funded project at Gainsborough’s House and other local initiatives, the regeneration of St Peter’s will contribute to Babergh District Council’s ‘Vision for Prosperity’ for the area.
It will help ensure Sudbury develops as an economic and cultural hub for local people and as an attractive visitor destination.
Proposed Architectural Plan
You can view the initial concept designs for the regeneration project here. These designs will be developed and updated as part of the next stage of the works for the project.
REGENERATION TIMELINE
SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS
The Friends of St Peter’s
The Friends of St. Peter’s (FoSP) is a registered charity which was founded after St. Peter’s closed for religious services in 1971. Our volunteers manage the upkeep of St. Peter’s, the hiring of the building to local cultural and community groups, and arrange for the building to be open to visitors.
The Churches Conservation Trust
The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) is the national heritage charity saving historic churches. It protects and helps secure new uses for over 350 buildings, which attract almost 2 million visitors a year. The CCT is the operator of the third largest heritage estate in charitable ownership in the UK, and has an international award-winning reputation in heritage conservation and regeneration.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Thanks to National Lottery players, the Heritage Lottery Fund invests money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife.
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