The next step in a project to regenerate and transform the former Liskeard Cattle Market into fully accessible, high quality office and workshop space for local businesses is underway.
The £5.1m regeneration project, expected to add £1.2m a year to the local economy and support around 33 jobs, created through Cornwall’s first ever interactive planning and design ‘charette’. The ‘charette’ - a series of intense collaboration events with residents and businesses - helped co-design the vision for the future of the cattle market site.
Contractor Brady Construction has started work to realise part of that vision by creating a new building called The Workshed which will provide 17 flexible units and collaborative workspace aimed at businesses working in the digital and creative industries. With the excavations and foundations now complete, the building’s steel frame can be installed.
The project forms part of a wider phase of development that will also deliver a new covered market area for the town with high quality public space.
The scheme to benefit the local economy and help regenerate Liskeard town centre and the wider South East Cornwall area is being funded by site owner, Cornwall Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and investment by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) from the Government’s Local Growth Fund.
Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for economy, Stephen Rushworth, said: “The regeneration of this important town centre space will encourage small and medium size businesses, primarily from Cornwall’s thriving digital and creative sectors.”
“This will in turn contribute to the wider regeneration programme for Liskeard and South East Cornwall, acting as a catalyst for the development of the entire Cattle Market site. Residents, businesses and visitors to the area will also benefit from the creation of vibrant new public areas that can be enjoyed by the whole community.”
Cllr Nick Craker, Cornwall Council local member for Liskeard Central, said: “This project represents a significant investment into Liskeard which I am pleased we have been able to secure by working collaboratively. I will be ensuring that the views of all my residents continue to heard as the wider Cattle Market scheme continues to progress.”
Mayor of Liskeard, Simon Cassidy said: “It is great to see the redevelopment of the Cattle Market site begin after many years of uncertainty. We look forward to working with Cornwall Council and their partners as they push forward with this project.”
Cllr Jane Pascoe, Cornwall Council local member for Liskeard South and Dobwalls, said: “I have lived, worked and traded in Liskeard for many years and seen the town change enormously over that time. The re-development of the Cattle Market is long overdue and I am pleased to see investment starting to return to the town.”
Glenn Caplin-Grey, Chief Executive of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The digital and creative industries are really important to Cornwall’s economy which is why the LEP is investing in this major regeneration project for Liskeard, and why we are also backing Cornwall’s bid to be City of Culture 2025.”
Brady Construction Director, David Agnew said ‘’We are extremely proud to have been selected to deliver this project for Cornwall Council. As an established main contractor in Cornwall, we are delighted to be able to be an integral part of a scheme to create a new building which will provide shared community workspace and community event spaces. We are fully committed to working with our local supply chain and will work alongside Building Cornwall in connecting local people with apprenticeships and career opportunities in construction.’’
Story posted November 18, 2021