Construction begins on the Cultural Centre and Museum project

We are excited to announce that construction work has begun to regenerate the Town Hall on St Mary’s and make the dream of the islands’ new Cultural Centre and Museum come true. Stepnell, the company undertaking the building work, has recently broken ground on the development, in accordance with the timeline which will see the project completed in the summer of 2026.

This pivotal moment was celebrated on 17 October 2024 by an on-site ceremony which was attended by Councillors Robert Francis, Tim Dean, Fran Grottick and Steve Sims and representatives from the project’s funding bodies, as well as trustees of Scilly Arts & Heritage, the newly established not-for-profit charitable business which will be taking over responsibility for the facility from the Council upon the completion of the construction and fit-out.

After months of preparatory work, Stepnell can now begin the task of restoring the Town Hall building and adding the extensions which were designed by a team of specialists under the leadership of award-winning architects Purcell. The redeveloped building will be fully accessible and will provide a welcoming space for live performances, theatre, community events, a new home for the Isles of Scilly Museum and a new café with panoramic views over Porthcressa beach. You can view the latest plans for the building on the website.

The £15 million project has been made possible with support from UK Government, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Good Growth Shared Prosperity Fund, Arts Council England and Cornwall Council in addition to the contribution made by the Council of the Isles of Scilly.

Cllr Robert Francis, Chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly said: “This is such an exciting moment for our islands as we begin to see the promise of the new facility become a reality. Many of us have fond memories of joining together in the Town Hall when it was a treasured space for meeting with friends and celebrating important occasions together and I cannot wait to see the building revived, repurposed and back where it belongs at the heart of the community.”

Ann Tudor, Scilly Arts & Heritage said: "This is a hugely exciting, once in a generation opportunity to breathe new life into a much-loved landmark in the heart of Hugh Town. These plans will create a unique facility, museum and cultural centre, which will benefit residents and visitors alike for many years to come."

Richard Bellamy, Head of Engagement - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “One of the things that stood out for us with the Isles of Scilly Cultural Centre and Museum was the huge impact this project will have on the community and people of the Isles of Scilly. It will create a space where Scillonians can celebrate and share their unique heritage, as well as providing a much-needed community and cultural gathering hub. We know that heritage is a great way of bringing people together and creating a sense of pride of place, that in turn can deliver wider economic benefits.”  

Nema Hart, South West Director and Inclusive Innovation, Arts Council England, adds: This is an exciting and significant moment for the Isles of Scilly. We are delighted to see plans lift off at the Town Hall and can’t wait to see residents and visitors engage with what promises to be an intrinsic part of cultural life on Scilly. Thanks to public funding, partners have collaborated on an ambitious vision, sure to bring benefits to the community now and for future generations. Because everyone, everywhere, deserves access to high quality art and culture. 

Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, said: “We’ve invested over £3.4m of Good Growth funding for this exciting project, which is set to strengthen the local economy, create an enduring legacy for the islands, and celebrate their unique culture and heritage. It’s exciting to see work underway and we look forward to watching it take shape and become an intrinsic part of life on Scilly,”

The Isles of Scilly Cultural Centre and Museum has received £3,4000,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Cornwall Council has been chosen by Government as a Lead Authority for the fund and is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UK

Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly through the Good Growth programme.

Rob Speirs, regional director at Stepnell, said: "We are honoured to be a part of this transformative project that will not only restore a historic building but also create a vital space for the community. The Isles of Scilly hold a unique place in the UK's cultural landscape, and we are committed to ensuring that this project reflects the heritage and aspirations of its residents.