One of Liverpool’s most iconic buildings is set to welcome a new visitor attraction in 2021.
St George’s Hall has received £250,000 funding from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, which will be invested in a high-tech digital visitor experience.
The experience will enable people to step back in time and see what life would have been like in the cells and courts of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The project aims to combine 3D, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and virtual reality in a first for the Grade I listed building.
The initial funding will allow the team at St George’s Hall to deliver the digital vision, with the aim of securing more funding in the new year for the project.
Councillor Wendy Simon , Liverpool’s deputy Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, said: “We welcome investment in this much-loved landmark and are delighted by this latest funding boost.
“St George’s Hall has so many stories to tell, and we want to bring these to life in a whole new, 21st century way which will ensure the venue continues to be a must-visit destination for residents and visitors alike.
“We have high ambitions for the project and look forward to seeing it develop over the coming months.”
Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “The government’s £1.57bn package for culture is unprecedented and it’s important to acknowledge how valuable this has been for our heritage organisations and visitor attractions.
“Although we are not able to support everyone facing difficulties, today’s funding package helps a diverse range of heritage organisations from across the country survive, adapt and plan for a brighter future through the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.
“By the end of this financial year we will have distributed almost £600m of government and National Lottery Funding to heritage organisations. Investing in heritage remains vitally important, creating jobs and economic prosperity, driving tourism, supporting our wellbeing and making our towns, cities, and rural areas better places to live.
“There is a lot more work to do to address the ongoing challenges, but this funding has provided a future for much of our heritage and the organisations that care for it, when it might otherwise have been permanently lost.”
