Bodmin’s Old Library receives £640k for building purchase and refurbishment
The intoBodmin team have secured the building’s future for the local community
A community and arts organisation have brought The Old Library in Bodmin.
It's the result of £640,000 of grant funding secured by intoBodmin, which will also be used to fully refurbish the Grade II listed building.
The Old Library has been their base since 2017 and hosts a community café, shared co-working spaces, rooms for hire, plus a licensed venue with a varied events programme.
However, the historic building is in poor condition and expensive to run: over the last year, it has cost £120 a day to cover the building’s basic overheads.
Initially raising £115k from Arts Council England and £60k from Cornwall Council’s proposed devolution deal with the UK Government to purchase the building from Cornwall Council, the intoBodmin team have been awarded a further £465k from the Architectural Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Director Fin Irwin said: "From the very beginning, our ambition has always been to purchase The Old Library to secure it as a community space - and owning the building means we've been able to win this vital funding to invest in the library and give it a more secure future.
"It will also allow more of our income to be re-invested into the our community work, rather than paying high running costs."
Repairs and upgrades will focus on making the building warm, watertight and welcoming, as well as reducing its carbon footprint and running costs.
The overall facilities will be improved, and energy efficient lighting and heating systems installed - including solar panels donated by Clean Earth.
Nema Hart, Arts Council England, South West, Director of Place, Economy and Partnerships, said: "It’s fantastic to be supporting the development of The Old Library, a building with a rich legacy, for the creative community and residents of Bodmin.
"At the Arts Council, we value access to shared spaces for learning, creative engagement, and collaboration – so we’re pleased to see The Old Library in the capable hands of intoBodmin, who are committed to transforming it into a venue that’s open to all, and fit for the future. We can’t wait to see the positive impacts it will bring."
The building will close for up to 6 months while the works take place. The intoBodmin team and their programme of community activity will be moving to Shop 14 on Fore Street during this time.
The programme of works began in July and the building is due to reopen in January 2024.