Residents of St Ives and the surrounds are urged to take part in a survey going to 1500 households, should one drop through their letterbox this month.

The survey is the starting point of a national evaluation of the impact government grants have on towns, residents, businesses and visitors.

It will focus on the restoration of St Ives Theatre, home to the award-winning youth theatre company Kidz R Us, which has been awarded just under £1.5 million from the £19.9m secured by St Ives Town Deal in partnership with Cornwall Council.

Andrew Baragwanath, Chair of the St Ives Town Deal Board, said: “Understanding the real impact of government funded projects against what we aim to achieve is vital to our town’s future sustainability so I heartly encourage everyone who receives a survey to complete and return it on time.”

The survey, which will be available online and in hardcopy, will go to 1500 households selected at random and may include face-to-face interviews in the town.

Residents are encouraged to take part while being vigilant of scams that can imitate legitimate communication. The survey will not ask for any banking information or payment.

Anthony Skitt, director at St Ives Theatre CIC, said: “I look forward to us being part of such a high profile evaluation and I hope our beautiful theatre’s restoration contributes to a lasting legacy of community-driven grassroot investment in all our towns.”

Work on the theatre is well under way and the transformed building is due to re-open with a new production in Easter 2025. Read more about the theatre’s Town Deal investment at www.stivestowndeal.org.uk/st-ives-theatre-regeneration.

A further survey to identify the impact of the project and interviews with local stakeholders will take place at a later date.