Historic Fleece Hotel offered government funding boost to help secure its future
The Fleece Hotel site is in the ownership of Gloucester City Council and remains one of the most historically important building complexes in Gloucester.
Far more than a single building, The Fleece Hotel is a large and complex collection of interconnected structures spanning several centuries, including the medieval Great Inn and a 12th-century vaulted undercroft known as the Monk's Retreat. The scale, age and complexity of the site present significant conservation challenges. While this investment will help stabilise the Westgate Range, significant additional funding will still be required to fully restore and bring the entire complex back into sustainable long-term use.
The Fleece Hotel was first opened in 1497 as one of the three major inns in Gloucester to house pilgrims visiting the tomb of Edward II. The undercroft was originally part of a merchant’s house and was incorporated into the structure, being owned by and developed by Gloucester Abbey during the 16th century. It was first recorded as the Golden Fleece in 1673.
The building was Grade I listed in January 1952, with other parts of the site listed Grade II in December 1998. The site ceased to operate as a hotel in 2002 and was purchased by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and passed to the City Council when the SWRDA was disbanded in 2011. The Council has spent more than £350,000 to protect and the historic fabric of the buildings, while actively pursuing uses for the site.
A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council said: "The Fleece is one of Gloucester's most important historic buildings, and we welcome this opportunity to further discuss grant funding.
“As a large and complex historic site, it requires substantial investment to preserve and restore. This funding represents an important step in that journey. It will help stabilise key parts of the complex, support repairs to the Westgate range roof and refurbish the street-facing shop units so they can be brought back into use.
"The funding will also support future public open days and an exhibition about the building's past and plans for the future."
The council will now consider the offer of grant funding, which requires match funding.
Alongside The Fleece Hotel, another Gloucester heritage project is benefiting from support through the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund. Gloucester Civic Trust has been awarded £380,000 towards the completion of the Pin Factory project.
The Pin Factory Annexe is an important part of the city's industrial history, having been converted from a 16th-century barn into a pin factory in the early 19th century. The funding will support the ongoing restoration of the historic building, helping to secure its long-term future while preserving an important reminder of Gloucester's once-thriving pin-making industry. The project will enable the building to continue serving the community and celebrating the city's rich heritage for future generations.
The funding for both heritage projects forms part of a national package of more than £41 million announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to support historic buildings and places of worship across England.
The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund is delivered by Historic England on behalf of Government and is designed to support historic buildings most in need of investment and conservation, with a particular focus on projects that deliver benefits for local communities.