St Francis is a Grade II* listed building and one of the most important Catholic church buildings in the country. Before the HLF project, the building stood empty for over ten years and was at an advanced stage of dereliction. It was included on both the English Heritage Buildings at Risk register and the World Monument Fund’s 100 most endangered monuments.

The project was designed to secure the building’s future and allow widespread access to it as both a conference/events centre and as a visitor attraction. Proposals included restoration of key historic features such as the high alter, as well as improvement works to the courtyard garden and outside space.