St Ives Town Council’s £3.1 million project to restore and improve the historic Guildhall building is taking a major step forward with the news that building firm Classics Builders are now on site.
The Guildhall Renewal team
The Guildhall Renewal project celebrates the historic building’s rich past, confirming its role as the civic and cultural heart of the town.
Since closing its doors in 2023, there has been plenty going on behind the scenes, including extensive opening-up works, which informed the final design and budget.
“It’s really great to see the building works begin on site,” said Cllr Kirsty Arthur, chair of the town council’s facilities committee.
“After years of planning, this is the moment that signifies that things are really happening. I can’t wait to see how it progresses, and I know that it will be a great success story for the community when it is finished.”
An important element of this first phase is the temporary relocation of the Barbara Hepworth sculpture, Dual Form, to Kresen Kernow, in Redruth. Hepworth originally gifted the sculpture to St Ives after being granted the Freedom of the Town in 1968.
To minimise the risk of damage to the sculpture, it was decided to temporarily move it while the works are taking place. The town council wanted to ensure the sculpture would continue to be on public display during its relocation and not put into storage.
Members of Barbara Hepworth’s family and trustees have been consulted on the plans for the external landscaping redesign, and support the temporary relocation of the sculpture.
This initial phase of work will also include removal of the entrance canopy and the installation of site boundaries. As with all large-scale capital works projects, there will be increased traffic on Street-an-Pol as the contractors move on site. The town council will be working closely with Classic Builders and their site team to keep disruption to a minimum.
The Guildhall Renewal Project is one of nine St Ives Town Deal projects. St Ives Town Deal board, in partnership with Cornwall Council, successfully bid for a town deal worth £19.9 million to support a range of projects that will contribute to the town’s regeneration and boost the local economy.
Cornwall Council is the lead authority for Cornwall town deals and supports the governance role of the St Ives Town Deal board, and administrates the fund.
The aniticipated re-opening of the Guildhall will be in early 2026. To keep up to date with the project, visit stivesguildhall.co.uk to sign up to the e-newsletter. You can also follow the project on social media @stivesguildhall or pop into the town council Guildhall reception for the latest information.
