17.03.04
Out with the old, in with the new at Tregedna Farm

Cornwall's economy is set for a boost with the transformation of a 150-year-old barn at a farm near Falmouth into a state-of-the-art study centre and base for a variety of tourism and leisure activities.

In a project costing nearly £200,000 and eight years in the making, Tregedna Farm Lodge at Maenporth is scheduled for completion by Easter.

The project has been made possible by an investment package assembled by Truro-based chartered accountants Bishop Fleming, working with Business Link through Objective One.

Its promoters, farm owner Mrs Fran Harris and her daughter and son-in-law, Liz and David Nicholls, have identified potential for over 2,000 visitors every year from a wide variety of customer groups.

In the ground floor of the two-storey listed building, a network of pens previously used for rearing calves is now being replaced by bedrooms for at least 30 delegates, showers, toilets, drying/laundry room and storage.

On the first floor, the former mill and grain store have made way for facilities including a computer network area, meeting/conference/training room, kitchen area and stores. Outside, landscaping is creating parking spaces for up to 20 cars.

"We have carried out extensive market research and concluded that Cornwall currently has very few facilities like this,” said Mrs Nicholls. "We have already received strong expressions of interest from a number of potential user groups.”

Groups targeted include schools, colleges, guides and scout groups, youth groups, training organisations and special interest and activity groups. Many of these replied that they would like to use the new centre several times every year.

As well as a study and tourism base, Tregedna's promoters also see great potential for its use as a base for diving activity and walkers, with the South West Coastal Footpath close by and nearby Maenporth Beach a vibrant centre for diving activity.

Although Tregedna continues to operate as a working farm, the barn has been redundant for a number of years and high quality diversification has become essential for survival. The barn has many significant features, such as beams and stonework, which have been enhanced with the conversion. Full disabled access has been installed through the new facility.

"This is an exciting project and a good example of Objective One helping a Cornish business to grow,” said Mark Norton, Bishop Fleming business development manager. "The project will benefit the local economy while at the same time providing a new use for an otherwise unused agricultural building.”

Marilyn Pryor, contract manager for Business Link's Rural Diversification Capital Grant Initiative, commented: "The diversification of a redundant barn into a field study centre will develop a further income stream for the farm which will help reduce its dependence upon core agriculture.”

Editor's notes:

For further information contact:

Liz or David Nicholls, telephone 01326 250529

Jason Clark
Communications Adviser
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
objectiveone@cornwall.gov.uk

back to top