The city of Winchester is readying itself for a royal appointment for the second time in a matter of weeks as Prince Charles is due for the grand unveiling of The Arc on Thursday (March 3).

Spectators will have the chance to watch His Royal Highness cut the proverbial ribbon of the newly refurbished building, formerly Winchester Discovery Centre, which has recently undergone a £715,000 transformation.

He’ll also fulfil his promise to view the statue of Licoricia of Winchester, which he was previously meant to unveil before testing positive for Covid at the 11th hour, and has pledged to meet members of the Licoricia Trust, the Licoricia of Winchester Appeal, the sculptor, Ian Rank-Broadley, members of the Jewish community and the schoolchildren who helped reveal the sculpture on February 10.

Large crowds are expected to gather for the occasion, with road closures and traffic management measures planned to accommodate spectators.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Thursday’s event.

What road closures will be in place?

• On St George's Street, one lane will be closed to traffic turning right at the junction with Jewry Street. However, traffic will be able to turn left at the junction;

• Jewry Street will be closed to vehicles and there shall be reduced pedestrian access;

• Staple Gardens will be closed at the junction with Cross Street;

• Tower Street will be closed between the junctions of Jewry Street and Tower Road. Access to and exit from Tower Street car park will still be possible from the entrance and exit on Sussex Street and Tower Street.

The closures will be put in place from 8.30am to 4pm.

When should I arrive?

Spectators are advised to gather outside The Arc in Jewry Street from 10am, with the unveiling expected shortly afterwards.

There will be traffic and event stewards in place during the visit, supported by police officers to ensure a safe and secure occasion.

How should I get there?

Winchester is expected to be busier than normal, and Hampshire County Council has advised anyone coming into the city to travel by public transport, use the Park & Ride and to walk where possible.

There are four P&R car parks: South Winchester, Pitt, and the East Winchester car parks -Barfield and St Catherine's.

Who is Licoricia and why is Prince Charles unveiling The Arc?

‘Licoricia of Winchester’ is a newly installed life-sized bronze statue of a prominent medieval Jewish woman, designed by award-winning sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, with the aim to promote the themes of tolerance, diversity and inter-faith understanding.

The artwork – organised by the Licoricia of Winchester Trust - is located outside The Arc (formerly Winchester Discovery Centre) on Jewry Street, the historic centre of the city’s Jewish community before the Jews were expelled from England in 1290, and where Licoricia was known to have lived.

Licoricia was a major financier to Henry III and his Queen, Eleanor. Money raised from Licoricia and from the estate of her second husband David contributed to the building of Westminster Abbey and its rich shrine to Edward the Confessor.

The Arc is a partnership between Hampshire Cultural Trust and Hampshire County Council to provide a unique cultural destination for the city, offering a diverse programme of exhibitions, live performance, events, library and community services.

Winchester has a rich history and was a former royal capital. The Great Hall on Castle Avenue is a surviving part of the original Winchester Castle built by William the Conqueror in 1067 and was built by Henry III from 1222 – the building includes a notable statue of Queen Victoria which was commissioned to mark her Golden Jubilee in 1887, a 13th century replica of King Arthur’s legendary Round Table and features a recreation of a medieval herbarium named after Queen Eleanor of Provence, wife of Henry III. The city also boasts an imposing statue of King Alfred.