George Eliot visitor centre in Warwickshire 'due to open'

Two buildings linked to the childhood home of the writer George Eliot will be turned into a visitor centre dedicated to the novelist early next year.

The old farm buildings near the Grade II listed Griff House in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, were threatened with demolition by owners Whitbread, before the company decided to back efforts to preserve their heritage.

The George Eliot Fellowship said it was delighted the buildings had been saved.

Whitbread said it supported the scheme.

The company, which owns the Premier Inn and Beefeater located on the site, had submitted plans to Nuneaton and Bedworth Council to demolish the buildings but they were rejected.

Chairman of the fellowship, John Burton, said he thought perhaps the company had not realised the historical importance of the buildings but he was "delighted" at how they were backing the project.

"Once it's open we expect the visitor centre will attract a lot of people," he said.

He said the writer, whose real name was Mary Ann Evans, had grown up on the nearby farm and said there was "a fair degree of certainty" she would have used the outbuildings.

He added the site would include the fellowship's literary archive, an exhibition space and a meeting room, together with a small shop selling George Eliot books, souvenirs and postcards.

Whitbread said it had given financial support to the project.