The funding gap at the Discover Greenwich tourist centre project has been plugged after a  £700,000 pledge from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The Discover Greenwich centre is due to open in 2010 but there was a funding shortfall in the plans. The total bill for the project is £5.8million, with £1.8million already contributed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, £2.8 million from the Greenwich Foundation and £500,000 from other donations.

Tourism Minister, Barbara Follet, said:

“I am glad that this marvellous project can now be completed. The Greenwich Foundation’s new interpretation and education centre will help visitors navigate their way around the World Heritage Site, and encourage them to learn more about its rich history. “

The Discover Greenwich centre will “tell the continuing story of Old Royal Naval College and Maritime Greenwich” and include a brasserie and a microbrewery, run by Greenwich Meantime Brewer. The new microbrewery will be located in the former Old Brewery building of the Hospital, which last produced beer in the 1860’s