Priory Visitor Centre will be run by the Students' Union as a bookable space for community groups in Coventry. This move is a step that we've taken in our ongoing commitment to strong community engagement and supporting local initiatives. The Centre will be run as an activities and training space and has already seen bookings by several local organisations. Additionally, the space now serves as the new base for EnV, a renowned organisation providing support for events across the city. This collaboration builds upon the successful partnership we had with EnV to deliver the City Hosts programme for Coventry in 2021. In 2022 alone, EnV deployed volunteers 11,967 times; providing 31,045 volunteer hours across a number of events.

On Friday 15 September, the Centre and Undercrofts will be open from 10am to 4pm as part of the national Heritage Open Days, with guided tours by local historians and EnV volunteers. This will be a monthly occurrence to showcase the history of the Undercrofts and Coventry’s first cathedral.

Founded by Earl Leofric and Lady Godiva, the cathedral lay hidden beneath the city centre for hundreds of years until excavations by the Coventry Archaeological Team and the TV programme ‘Time Team’. Visitors to the open day will see some of the incredible finds from the excavations and discover the amazing story of the Cathedral.

John Abell, our CEO said, "Coventry University Students’ Union recognises the value of creating strong ties within the local community, shown in activities such as city litter picks, support for the Herbert Art Gallery Community Gardens and an ongoing partnership providing hundreds of volunteers for good causes.

"The SU organised the most recent Coventry Half Marathons raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities. By opening the Centre to community groups and for regular open days, we aim to help facilitate the exchange of ideas, skills, and resources between local community groups as well as show the amazing heritage of medieval Coventry."

David Boughey, Managing Director of EnV, is also excited with the partnership. He said, "We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Students' Union and are pleased to be able to provide a new city centre base for our City Host volunteers, particularly as it is a landmark that is an important part of the city heritage.

"We continue to be committed to delivering our volunteer legacy and are grateful for support such as this that will assist us and our amazing volunteers in continuing to providing a positive difference to Coventry. The volunteers continue to play a major part in making events run smoothly and representing their city and region in a positive way."

Collaboration is important and we're always eager to engage with partners, volunteers, and community members who share our vision for a dynamic and inclusive Coventry. Any individuals or organisations interested in supporting the Centre and Undercrofts are welcomed to get in touch. For more information about Priory Visitor Centre, event bookings, or opportunities to contribute, please email studentsunion.su@coventry.ac.uk. A new website for the Centre and Undercrofts will be launched soon.