Ipswich's most famous hotel secures grant for renovation
The Great White Horse Hotel most known for Charles Dickens staying there.
Ipswich’s most famous hotel, The Great White Horse, has secured a £99,400 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its renovation as both a hotel and community and heritage hub
The Great White Horse Hotel is in the first stage in it's long-term project which it hopes will see the renovation of the iconic building as both a hotel and community and heritage hub.
The Grade II listed Great White Horse Hotel is Ipswich’s most famous hotel, most notably for Charles Dickens staying there, and was well known as the town's main lodging house. Today though it is at risk of permanent closure due it its deteriorating condition and was placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register in November 2023.
Supported through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this project is laying the foundations the secure the long-term future of the building.
Over the next twelve months they will carry out essential surveys and condition reports to enable them to start the renovation process.
Options will be looked at for how building is used, what services and activities are needed, and promote and celebrate the history that is associated.
Over the course of this project, The Great White Horse CIC will host information events so that visitors can see what needs to happen to restore the building.
There will also be opportunities for the people living in Ipswich to contribute ideas as to how the ground floor can best be used to serve the community and help regenerate the centre of town.
Commenting on the award, Sandeep Dayal, a driving force behind the project, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received this funding which will enable us to take our plans forward and allow us to prepare for the major renovation of this historic asset.
This is the first step in a major project, and we are pleased to see the lottery are supporting our vision.”