End in sight for Jewry Wall Museum renovations in Leicester

By Annabella Ssemakula

One of the most the famous and largest surviving parts of Roman history in Leicester is set to re-open soon after being closed for refurbishment. 

The Jewry Wall is a very popular part of Roman history in the city and is still standing to this day, having been built in AD 160, as an entrance to public baths.

Eventually it became the west wall of the original Saxon church of St Nicholas. Major works to keep this spectacular piece of architecture available to the public is still ongoing.

No final date has been put in place as to when the refurbishment will be done and when the Jewry Wall Museum can re-open. 

The museum at St Nicholas’ Circle, is currently covered by a big tent as renovations proceed but is expected to re-open in 2023, with the work expected to cost close to £15.5 million from when it originally began in 2017.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, a pause had to be called to the renovations. The city council and Leicester-based Haley Sharpe Design are collaborating on the new-look museum’s interior design. 

Leicester Museums and Galleries aims to bring to life the tales and stories of Leicester’s ancient history. Numerous new finds have been unearthed in and around the city since the previous museum exhibits were put on display, and the extra gallery space will enable visitors to view these treasures and learn more about Leicester’s Roman past. 

The museum first opened in 1996 and the new displays being planned will recount the tale of the site of the Jewry Wall, Roman Leicester’s regular routine life, and the spaces once occupied by Vaughan College, which will also be enlarged beyond its ground floor placement.

There will be an exhibition of the artefacts unearthed throughout the city, including ones that use the newest interactive technology to bring stories to life.