Gloucester MP Richard Graham gives his thoughts on the restoration of 41 Westgate Street.

Punchline reported yesterday how the 500-year-old timber framed building had been restored to its former glory.

We caught up with the local MP and president of the Gloucester History Festival for his thoughts on the restoration.

Mr Graham said: "This is one of the most visible and exciting improvements from the £1.95 million Historic England grants for the Cathedral Quarter.

"Not many people living here always see Westgate as the most stunning example of England's history spread out over one long street stretching down to the river. But that's what it is and all of thee buildings have got their story to tell and when they are done up and restored like Number 41, immediately people stop outside and ask questions about it and look at the way it's been built, the structure of the timbers, the colours that are involved - the old historic colours, not the fake black-and-white colours.

"They are thinking that this would be a magical place to have a new shop or café or whatever. When you have got the buildings in good shape then I think the investment follows."

As chair of Gloucester History Trust, Mr Graham said he was excited about Gloucester History Festival, now in its 13th year, taking place in September.

"You can book for talks at Blackfriars - although already some of them are sold out - but there are plenty more. There's lots of everyone," he said.

"This is about making sure we make the most of our unique selling point about Gloucester - our heritage, not just what it was but what it can be like the way this building has been restored. We look to the future as well as the past."