THE president of Lichfield’s St Mary’s in the Market Square has said “urgent steps” are being taken to safeguard the institution’s future.

David Wallington, president of the Guild of St Mary’s, warned Lichfeldians “use it or lose it” in an up-front letter to the Mercury.

“Recent letters have suggested that St Mary’s in the Market Square is facing difficulties,” he said.

“I can confirm that this is so but urgent steps are being taken to produce a new plan for its future.”

The listed city centre building – which now also houses the Tourist Information Centre – desperately needs public support to continue long-term as income from its shop and café is insufficient to sustain it.

Mr Wallington said: “The Guild does not receive any state or council financial support and has to raise its own funding to maintain the museum.

“It has over the years been generously supported by other local charities, but whereas in the past its shop and café could support the museum it is clear that the profits are now insufficient to maintain the charity.

“It therefore welcomed the opportunity to enter into an agreement with Lichfield District Council to host the Tourist Information Centre.”

He added: “The museum has a strong and dedicated team of volunteers and staff who are working hard to keep St Mary’s open as Lichfield’s museum, but it needs the support of the community as well.

“In the words of the well-known phrase – use it or lose it.”

Mr Wallington said it is “clear that there are misconceptions” about St Mary’s, who runs it and its purpose.

“Thirty years ago St Mary’s, as the parish church for the city centre, was declared redundant with the exception of the eastern end – the chancel and Dyott chapel – which was retained as a place of worship attached to St Michael’s,” he said.

“It still retains that purpose but now only plays host to the occasional service.

“The rest of the building was handed over to a charity – The Guild of St Mary’s – which runs it as the Lichfield Museum, previously known as Lichfield Heritage Centre, along with a cafe and shop.

“In addition the Guild also provides valuable community space which is hired out to various local groups for meetings and conferences.”

For many years, the Guild also ran a social centre for the over-60s. It leases the space from the Diocese of Lichfield but is not itself a religious organisation.

Lichfield Museum boasts some incredible historical items including a box that came from a mulberry tree Shakespeare planted and another box made by French prisoners of war from the Battle of Waterloo.

St Mary’s also has one of the best photographic archives in the country with over 11,000 items.

And there are a further 10,000 items ranging from old newspapers to books on local history.

St Mary’s café has been recently refurbished and now offers a range of wholesome food all made on the premises.

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant said: “David Wallington is 100 per cent right to talk about the value of St Mary’s in Lichfield’s Market Square. It is at the very heart of our community both geographically and culturally.

“Its location makes it an ideal venue for Lichfield’s Tourist Information Centre which, in recent years, has drifted from Donegal House of Commons in Bore Street and then to a lower floor in the Garrick.

“Neither venues were particularly satisfactory.

“St Mary’s as a location is a different story. And combined with the museum and with the gift shop, I believe it could create a synergy to increase footfall and the overall viability of St Mary’s.

The MP added: “I am reminded that some years ago, David Cameron commented on an attractive and smartly glass-framed ‘tapestry’ of Lichfield prominently displayed in my House of Commons office.

“I had to tell him that the tapestry was a tea towel I had bought at St Mary’s for £2.50 – though the frame cost considerably more.”