This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-22887058
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Richard III visitor centre plans unveiled in Leicester | Richard III visitor centre plans unveiled in Leicester |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Plans to open a Richard III museum next to the site where the king's body was found in a car park have been unveiled. | |
| It is hoped the £4m centre, called Richard III: Dynasty, Death and Discovery, will bring 100,000 people and £4.5m into Leicester in its first year. | It is hoped the £4m centre, called Richard III: Dynasty, Death and Discovery, will bring 100,000 people and £4.5m into Leicester in its first year. |
| A temporary exhibition at the nearby Guildhall has attracted almost 80,000 visitors since opening in February. | A temporary exhibition at the nearby Guildhall has attracted almost 80,000 visitors since opening in February. |
| The remains of the king were discovered last August in a council car park. | The remains of the king were discovered last August in a council car park. |
| Leicester City Council bought the 150-year-old former Alderman Newton School last year, next to the site of the old Greyfriars Church where archaeologists made their discovery. | Leicester City Council bought the 150-year-old former Alderman Newton School last year, next to the site of the old Greyfriars Church where archaeologists made their discovery. |
| There will be two floors of exhibition space and a covered area allowing access to the grave. | There will be two floors of exhibition space and a covered area allowing access to the grave. |
| There will also be a courtyard garden, glass entrance hall, viewing balcony and cafe. | There will also be a courtyard garden, glass entrance hall, viewing balcony and cafe. |
| Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: "The discovery of King Richard III is one of the most important archaeological finds of recent times. | Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: "The discovery of King Richard III is one of the most important archaeological finds of recent times. |
| "In its first year alone, this new visitor centre is expected to attract about 100,000 visitors and bring economic benefits to the city worth up to £4.5 million. | "In its first year alone, this new visitor centre is expected to attract about 100,000 visitors and bring economic benefits to the city worth up to £4.5 million. |
| "It is clearly a major investment which will bring a huge boost for the local economy, bringing people into the city, and benefiting local businesses." | "It is clearly a major investment which will bring a huge boost for the local economy, bringing people into the city, and benefiting local businesses." |
| Specialists have been brought in from around the UK to transform the derelict building and the plans have been welcomed by conservationists in the city. | Specialists have been brought in from around the UK to transform the derelict building and the plans have been welcomed by conservationists in the city. |
| Stuart Bailey, from Leicester Civic Society, said: "I'm very impressed, and the concept of being able to go on to this balcony and see an interpretation of medieval Leicester is absolutely enthralling." | Stuart Bailey, from Leicester Civic Society, said: "I'm very impressed, and the concept of being able to go on to this balcony and see an interpretation of medieval Leicester is absolutely enthralling." |
| A planning application will be submitted on Friday and, if successful, work will start in August following further archaeological investigations of the old Greyfriars Church, some of which is under the building. | A planning application will be submitted on Friday and, if successful, work will start in August following further archaeological investigations of the old Greyfriars Church, some of which is under the building. |
| It is planned to complete the visitor centre by March 2014 in time for the reinterment of Richard's bones at the neighbouring Cathedral. | It is planned to complete the visitor centre by March 2014 in time for the reinterment of Richard's bones at the neighbouring Cathedral. |