The Historic Exhibition Centre - Trust Annual Report 1983
The City Council has employed independent consultants, Carlton Cleeve Ltd. and John Ronayne, to look at the feasibility of an Exhibition Centre in the City. The only logical site identified for this is at Peninsular Barracks, due to be vacated by the Army in 1987. Using and extending an existing building, the estimated cost of providing a large-scale multi-media display is about £3.I million, and after running costs it is estimated that annual income will be in the region of £400,000. At about the present level of tourism visitors to the centre are expected to number around 500,000, comparable with Stonehenge and Hampton Court.
The proposed displays and simulations use everything from black and white photographs to holograms, and the intention is that academic integrity should not fall victim to popular appeal, a balance achieved at the Museum of London, for example. If this can be managed at the Barracks, Winchester could be a showpiece for the rest of the country. This is obviously only a preliminary study, and the designers' gaps of knowledge about the City's history are apparent, as they themselves readily admit. However, it is clear that their estimates are financially realistic and that they have the right expertise for such a project.
This seems a very suitable scheme for the Barracks area, since it should curtail the building of yet more offices and would encourage the development of hotels, restaurants and other facilities for visitors. If Winchester seriously wishes to attract the tourist, this scheme must be a major element in that strategy.