Lincoln's historic Greyfriars building being transformed into events and wedding space

Greyfriars was a Franciscan friary in Lincoln city centre
-Credit: (Image: James Turner/Lincolnshire Live)


Lincoln's historic Greyfriars building will soon be open to the public once again as work gets underway to transform it into a multi-functional space. More than £3 million in funding has been secured to repair and redevelop the site, which will open to visitors in late 2025.

The Greyfriars building will become a space for weddings, conferences, education and other creative uses once the work is complete. It is hoped that the mix of new uses will ensure that Greyfriars, which will be run by Heritage Lincolnshire, is eligible for removal from the National 'At Risk' Register.

Dating back to 1230, Greyfriars is believed to be the oldest surviving Franciscan friary building in the country, having served the community in various roles over the centuries including as a free school, a Jersey knitting and spinning school, a house of correction, a mechanics institute and the county museum.

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Councillor Joshua Wells, portfolio holder for inclusive economic growth at City of Lincoln Council, said: "I am very pleased that the necessary funds from the National Lottery Heritage Fund have been secured to bring the Greyfriars building back into use, and that the construction phase has begun. The building is so steeped in history and culture, and it will become an even more unique and treasured asset to the city once made more accessible for visitors."

Tracy Stringfellow, chief executive at Heritage Lincolnshire, added: "I am incredibly excited to start the next stage of this project at the iconic Greyfriars. A tremendous amount of work has been going on behind the scenes, with City of Lincoln colleagues we have been working closely with the Heritage Fund to bring about appointment of our construction partner, Alan Staley Building Contractors Ltd.

"We can’t wait to see work progress and for Greyfriars to begin serving the community once again."

Funders for the £3.032 million project include The National Heritage Lottery Fund, the Be Lincoln Town Deal Fund, City of Lincoln Council, Heritage Lincolnshire, Pilgrim Trust and Garfield Weston Foundation.