The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is delighted to announce that it has awarded a Project Development Grant to Redruth Revival CIC to support plans to repurpose the Old Market Store on Fair Meadow in Redruth as a new cycle hub for the community. This is one of 11 awards made at the AHF’s September Grants Panel, where projects across England, Scotland and Wales were awarded funding totalling £530,958.
Redruth was the greatest market town in West Cornwall from medieval times through to the 1950s. Following the 18th-century boom in demand for copper ore, the town quickly became one of the largest and richest mining areas in Britain, with the market described as a ‘true emporium with stalls selling everything from limpets to pianos’.
The Old Market Store, which is evident on the map of 1877, is significant to the Redruth community, as it forms part of the old market complex. However, the building is currently in a vulnerable and dilapidated condition.
Image: The Old Market Store in its current condition. Photo courtesy of Redruth Revival CIC and Architectural Thread.
Redruth Revival CIC is one of the AHF’s Heritage Development Trusts (HDT). The organisation uses business solutions to help achieve its aim of creating a strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economy in Redruth. Its previous project has seen a cluster of formerly at risk Grade II listed buildings refurbished and reopened as the Buttermarket - Cornwall’s first food hall, with six kitchens, a bar, coffee shop, retail, office and gallery space. Since opening in 2024, the Buttermarket has won multiple awards, most recently picking up the top prize at the Architects’ Journal Retrofit & Reuse Awards.
Image: The Buttermarket, Redruth. Photo courtesy of Redruth Revival CIC.
For this next project, Redruth Revival CIC will breathe new life into the Old Market Store. Continuing to explore a partnership with Saint Piran Cycling CIC, the HDT will repurpose the Old Store to create a community-facing cycle hub that will provide cycle hire, a cycle repair and maintenance workshop, a health and fitness suite, social prescribing information, clinic and meeting rooms, WCs and showers, as well as office space and accommodation for Saint Piran professional riders.
The AHF grant for this project has been awarded through the Heritage Development Trusts programme, which is made possible by a three-year strategic partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. It will enable Redruth Revival CIC to progress plans to RIBA Stage 3 and will cover professional fees for the architects and consultants, various surveys, planning application fees, and a noise impact assessment.
