Four projects to revitalise Camborne town centre as part of the Camborne Town Deal programme, including community facilities and green spaces, new shared workspace, a theatre and a youth café, have been approved by the Government.
This key milestone means that the final £16.5 million of the £23.7 million Town Deal funding awarded to Camborne will begin to be released to Cornwall Council at the end of March.
The announcement follows the review by Government of the plans for the Town Centre Regeneration programme, which include:
Basset Centre and White House
The adjoining Basset Centre and White House on Basset Road will be redeveloped by Camborne Town Council, into a state-of-the-art facility that includes high quality communal spaces, a youth café, exciting heritage interpretation and an updated library and resource centre. There will also be a flexible performance space for a range of entertainment and community purposes.
Co-working space
The project will bring a long-term disused building back into use as a modern co-working space; which will encourage further footfall to the town centre; as well as support our local entrepreneurs to thrive.
Camborne Renew
Cornwall Council will deliver improvements to the town centre’s streets and public spaces to create a more accessible, sustainable and appealing place to live, work, shop and visit.
Kerrier Way
The Town Council will lead on the enhancement and landscaping of a brownfield site near Tesco to create a community green space for all to benefit from and enjoy. This will create a green gateway to the town centre and provide community space for local residents.
These projects complement the seven other Town Deal funded projects announced last September, which will enable the full delivery of the vision set out in the Town Investment Plan, of increasing the vitality of Camborne while celebrating its rich heritage.
Following agreement of the funding allocation by Government, these transformational projects are now focussed on putting the necessary agreements in place to enable funding drawdown and project delivery. Across the town, projects follow different delivery timelines, with some expected to finish next year while others will complete at the end of the programme in March 2026.
Val Dalley, chair of the Camborne Town Deal Board, said:
“So much work has happened behind the scenes to achieve this milestone. It’s a fantastic news and we are delighted that the exciting projects which have been proposed to increase the vitality of Camborne town centre can progress to the next stage. As a board we will continue working with the Project Leads and Cornwall Council to ensure that contracts are signed as quickly as possible so that projects can get their funding and start the next phase of development. The process over the last three years has been complex but it’s very rewarding to see our vision finally taking shape.”
Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council cabinet member for economy, said:
“This is a significant milestone in the delivery of the Town Deal in Camborne and testimony to all the work that has taken place so far to submit new proposals to Government. Cornwall Council has submitted two projects that aim to enhance the town centre and encourage footfall and new enterprise and deliver the vision set for the future of Camborne and objectives of the fund.”
Mayor Zoe Fox, Camborne Town Council, said:
“This is a brilliant news and reassuring to know that our proposals for the refurbishment of the Basset Centre and Kerrier Way will go ahead. The team has been working hard to develop projects that will maximise the Town Deal funding’s potential to transform our town. We look forward to delivering these exciting new opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy."
George Eustice, MP for Camborne and Redruth and member of the Camborne Town Deal board, said:
"The release of the final £16.5 million of the £23.7 million Town Deal funding is very welcome and I’m confident these new, exciting projects will make a substantial difference to the town. I look forward to working closely with Cornwall Council and the Camborne Town Deal board to ensure that the work is undertaken swiftly and to a high standard."
The Town Deals, a key part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, aim to boost the economy of the regions and fund projects that will contribute to the regeneration of the town centres, improve transport, support skills development and business growth.
Camborne was awarded £23.7 million Town Deal funding after the successful submission of its Town Investment Plan in 2021.