PR06.003
24th February 2006

Suffolk project a national example says Heritage Lottery Fund

An exciting new project in Bury St Edmunds has been dubbed “a national example,” by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

St Matthew Housing received a Heritage Lottery Award of £802,000 last year for work on the prestigious new Malthouse Project development in Elsey's Yard just off Risbygate Street in Bury St Edmunds. The development, which will cost £2,350,000 in total, will be a landmark development in the town, providing a unique marriage between heritage and social welfare.

Representatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund were given a tour of the development site on 23 rd February and St Matthew Housing are thrilled with their enthusiasm for this important new project in the town.

Wendy Cullingworth, Chief Executive for St Matthew Housing said: “It is so encouraging to know that the Heritage Lottery are behind us in such a visible way. On the day a member of the visiting party said the project had the potential to be a national example and this is a huge boost for the Malthouse Project.”

Robyn Llewellyn, Regional Manager for the Heritage Lottery Fund, East of England said: "You should all really be proud of the work you're doing to save this special aspect of the town's history; when this project is complete it will mean so much to so many. The building is so impressive as it stands, and I look forward to seeing how this heritage is appreciated for a new generation.”

The project will be an invaluable addition to the townscape of Bury St Edmunds, providing a unique visitor experience in an enviable environment. The generosity of the Heritage Lottery Fund has made a big difference to the project's success. A further £900,000 is still to be raised.

St Matthew Housing have set up a Friends of the Malthouse scheme to gather together a group of like-minded people to support St Matthew Housing's work at the Malthouse Project. There are various levels of membership and Friends can chose to participate as much or as little as they wish. It is hoped the Friends will play an active role in helping St Matthew Housing to save a great building, provide training for residents and create a community hub in the middle of Bury St Edmunds.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Heritage Lottery Fund was set up by the government in 1994 and distributes the share of the money raised by the National Lottery money for Good Causes.

About SMH and The Malthouse Project:
St Matthew Housing (SMH) provides housing and support for the homeless or unsuitably housed across East Anglia and the East Midlands. The charity works in a way that enables people to achieve their individual goals, at their own pace and in their own communities. SMH has also recently started work on the Malthouse Project – an initiative which seems to have captured the imagination of Bury St Edmunds.

St Matthew Housing is restoring one of Bury's last remaining undeveloped 17 th Century buildings. The Malthouse in Elsey's Yard, just off Risbygate Street, will become an important landmark for the organisation and the town, providing Bury St Edmunds with an important training and support facility for local people in need.

St Matthew Housing residents and service users will work and train in a café, which will be open to the public to enjoy. The project also includes a Heritage Centre which will become a valuable addition to the Town Heritage Trail.