Drapers' Hall, Coventry Explained

Drapers' Hall
Owner:Coventry City Council
Address:Bayley Lane, Coventry
Coordinates:52.4076°N -1.5071°W
Start Date:1831
Completion Date:1832
Architect:Thomas Rickman

Drapers' Hall is a historic building (Grade II* listed)[1] in the Cathedral Quarter of Coventry built in 1832 by the Drapers' Company, a large trading guild in Coventry.[2] The present building is believed to the third guildhall on the site.[3] [4]

History

Drapers' Hall was constructed 1831-32 to be the headquarters of the Coventry Drapers' Guild,[4] and an east wing was added in 1864.[5]

The basement of the building was used as an air raid shelter for 200 people during the Second World War.[6]

It was also used as a church centre. In 2012 it was reported that the building would be converted into a music centre.[6]

Architecture

The building is built in Greek Revival style and was designed by Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson.

Access

The building has been opened to the public under the auspices of the Heritage Open Days scheme.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Draper's Hall, Coventry . British Listed Buildings . 28 September 2012.
  2. Web site: Drapers' Hall . https://archive.today/20130505100713/http://www.visitheartofengland.co.uk/newdetail.aspx?County=3&group=70&id=9befde39-8a4c-4660-8e11-d58d14b687c9 . dead . 5 May 2013 . Visit Heart of England . 28 September 2012 .
  3. News: Drapes Lifted Off Historic Hall . Coventry and Warwickshire News . 15 September 2000 . 28 September 2012 .
  4. Web site: Heritage and history . Coventry Society . 27 September 2012 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111015153639/http://www.coventrysociety.org.uk/pages.asp?PageId=7 . 15 October 2011 .
  5. Web site: Drapers' Hall . . 28 September 2012 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130125062657/http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/hod002168e . 25 January 2013 .
  6. News: Drapers Hall to become Coventry music centre . . . 20 September 2012 . 28 September 2012.