St Ives Guildhall

A much-loved building in St Ives, the Guildhall is in need of extensive restoration and improvement.

The aim of this project is to develop the building into a thriving cultural venue together with a café and bar space.

As well as safeguarding the future of an important heritage building, the project will provide a high-quality year-round programme for all potential audiences in St Ives and West Cornwall, develop the town’s role as a national centre of heritage, arts and culture and provide opportunities for careers in creative arts.

LATEST PROJECT NEWS 

Following the closure of the Guildhall at the end of September 2023, the Town Council staff team were busy emptying the hall, relocating items and recording assets prior the removal of asbestos.

The asbestos removal was completed in December 2023, to ensure the venue was ready for the development works due to start in the Spring 2024.

n the autumn of 2023, the team designed a two-stage tender process to maximise interest and were able to appoint a successful contractor at the first phase, Cornwall based Classic Builders. Classic were to then work with the design team to finalise the programme and construction plans.

Since February 2024, the Guildhall project has focused on preparing for the construction phase, including completing the second stage of the two-stage tender process.

 The final costings of the construction phase of the project were due in early spring, however Classic Builders and the Design Team experienced some delays with finalising elements of the design and securing quotations from sub-contractors.

The full costings were submitted in June and the Project Manager, Design Team and Classic Builders are now completing a cost saving exercise to make sure they have the highest quality product on completion while also ensuring the project comes in on budget.

In April, the team began the tender process for the retractable seating. This seating will transform how the Guildhall is used – both for audiences and for the team when turning around events, as the seating will be motorised. Following evaluation of the bids , a supplier has been identified for this equipment.

In May, the team completed the recruitment process for the Town Deal funded Youth Engagement and Project Officer role.  Two people – Laura Peach and Rosana Cox – were appointed on a job share basis. They started in June and have already made contact with the Town Deal Projects to discuss how they can support them to engage young people with each project. To read more about their work, visit here  

The Barbara Hepworth sculpture ‘Dual Form’ will shortly be moving to Kresen Kernow as a temporary display . The team are currently working with a conservator and specialist bronze sculpture movers to determine the best way to approach it.

As the Guildhall’s project delivery programme has been slightly delayed, the team will be working with the Project Manager and the contractor over the summer to revise the programme.  They are now hoping to break ground on site in the Autumn.

The Town Council continues to roll out its engagement programme with local schools . 

More detail on the Guildhall project is available on the council’s website