A HERITAGE champion is concerned visitors are not able to view a Civil War-era death mask which is central to the city's story because the precious relic lies in a shut-up coffee shop.
Daniel Daniels, chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society, is keen to safeguard access to visitors who want to view the death mask of William Guise at the former Costa Coffee in the city's High Street, opposite the Guildhall.
The branch closed its doors for the final time on Wednesday, September 13, and all staff have now moved to the new location - the former Paperchase building, also on the High Street.
At the rear of the former coffee shop, now closed, is a rare and somewhat macabre survival from the time of the English Civil War, the death mask of William Guise, a local tailor who betrayed the royalists’ plans, helping Cromwell to take Worcester during the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651. He was hanged for treachery. There is also a replica of the death mask inside the coffee shop itself with a plaque explaining its historic significance.
Mr Daniels said: "There is a growing concern within our community regarding the lack of positive engagement from the owner and the estate agents, Johnson Fellows, based in Birmingham, regarding any visits to the William Guise death mask.
"The death mask holds immense historical value and we believe that is crucial that the landlord and their agent fosters a more open relationship with the community.
"We have proposed the occasional access be granted to community groups. This would not only be a symbolic gesture of goodwill but perhaps someone might even consider taking over the lease itself."
However, a spokesman for Birmingham-based Johnson Fellows said 'access is available on request' but that it had to coincide with viewings as they seek to find new tenants for the former cafe.
"When there are viewings it would be possible to show visitors around as well. There was never an issue not being able to grant access," he said.
However, he accepted there had been 'a lack of interest in terms of viewings from interested parties' which had an impact on how often the interior could be shown to other visitors, interested in the history of the building. They also said they had offered Mr Daniels the opportunity to inspect the site next week.
The building was previously The Golden Lion pub with a statue of the animal still sitting on the building's wall after a campaign to see the statue returned after it was removed because of storm damage.
RECOMMENDED READING: Memories of Golden Lion inn in Worcester's High Street
RECOMMENDED READING: Fears for future of former Golden Lion pub as Costa moves out
It is believed that the Golden Lion existed as a pub from at least the 16th Century.
The grade II listed building was once a mediaeval merchant’s house believed to have been built in the late 14th or early 15th century.
William Guise was hanged after revealing the Royalist plans to Oliver Cromwell, and a death mask was created of his face and put inside the building.
Mr Daniels said: "He was caught, hanged, and a death mask was made and set in the wall at the back of the shop.
"It is significant, and Cromwell even rewarded his widow.
"He was one of the few ordinary citizens remaining in history - everyone knows of Oliver Cromwell, but he was just a citizen."
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