St Ives Archive is on the move, as the partnership between the Archive and the Town Council secures Government Funding
25th March 2024
St Ives Town Council, working in close partnership with St Ives’ Archive, are thrilled to announce that Community Ownership funding has been secured to help the relocation of the Archive to the historic Market House.
Plans involve the renovation of the first floor of Market House to bring the Archive back to the heart of the town. The distinctive Grade II Listed building will have an improved access and be opened up to the community for the first time in decades.
£275,000 has been awarded from the fund, which will enable the restoration and refurbishment works, improving the access to the building while enhancing the important historic features.
The Community Ownership Fund has so far awarded £71.4 million to 257 projects across the UK, and the St Ives Archive’s relocation to Market House is part of the third round of the fund.
Returning to the heart of the Town, the Archive will be able to welcome more visitors, revealing a wealth of important local material and by moving to Market House, a unique local landmark building will be restored and safeguarded for the future.
The second community open day at Market House, will take place this week on 28th March 2024 between 10am and 3pm. Today’s (25th March 2024) announcement will make the day more special as there is now great confidence that the project will become a reality. All are welcome to take a look inside Market House, enjoy a celebratory slice of cake, and view the exhibition about Bryan Pearce, renowned St Ives artist, who portrayed Market House in his paintings, many times.
Cllr Tony Harris, Chair of the Finance & General Purposes Committee for St Ives Town Council said:
I am absolutely delighted at this news! St Ives Archive can realise their long-held dream of moving back into the heart of our community, where it belongs. The move to the Market House will help the Centre provide archival and local history services for many more local people and visitors alike. This will help further safeguard and promote our local heritage for generations to come. Its new home, Market House has its own fascinating history and is a perfect match. Funding has made this possible, but it would not have happened without the trustees at the Centre and the Town Council’s own team working tirelessly together.
Lyn Burchess, Chair of the Archive said: “We have been working very closely with the town council for many months on this exciting project, with the aim of moving back into town. The Market house is an iconic building, and it’s a perfect fit for the Archive, allowing more people to access our wonderful heritage”
Community Ownership funding is awarded by the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The programme is allocating over £150 million in funding to support community ownership of local assets. The project was one of two in Cornwall in round three, window 3. It is eligible because the Town Council will be passing a long lease of the first floor premises to the Archive, to safeguard its future as a community project.
Most of the funding is for capital works but a small amount will help the Archive fund a project officer. Funding will allow the project to go ahead, although a smaller award of a Town Deal Enterprise grant has been approved in principle but awaits final sign off.
