19.04.05
Expanding Company Saves Historic Warehouse

Work on the prominent and impressive historic White's Warehouse building in Foundry Square, Hayle, is due to start soon in the first private sector partnership project from Hayle Townscape.

Martin and Emily Nixon, of Nixon Design Ltd, have bought this vacant building and through their development arm, HBL Partnership, will repair and convert it, bringing it back into productive use with stylish studio/offices on the two upper floors and the potential for either retail or restaurant use for the ground floor. They are now actively looking for potential tenants for the building and there has been a significant amount of initial interest. The project will provide jobs, training and amenities in a key part of Hayle.

This is the first private sector project to be carried out under Hayle Townscape, an important heritage led initiative to revitalise the town's economy and so help to improve the quality of life for local people. The boost to Hayle is to be achieved by investing in the repair and enhancement of the town's important historic character, making it a more attractive place to live, work and visit and by rekindling interest in Hayle's vital role in the technological revolution that made 19th century industrial Britain a world leader in trade and influence.

Nixon Design Ltd is one of the leading graphic design consultancies in Cornwall with a wide range of both local and national clients. The studio's work includes branding, corporate identity, packaging and literature projects as well as website design. Currently employing 10 people, Nixon Design has plans to expand and develop the business when it moves to the top floor of this landmark building and hopes to create up to 5 more jobs.

The project will accommodate an estimated 30 jobs by enabling the HBL Partnership to return some 414 sq m (4456 sq ft) of currently vacant floor space to productive, commercial uses. The former carpet warehouse is a late 19th century reconstruction of the original Trevithick Stores, which was first built around 1828, and Hayle Townscape is a major investor to the £340,500 repair and refurbishment scheme.

Mrs Nixon said: "We are thrilled to have acquired this beautiful building, and look forward enormously to restoring it to its former glory. It's been hard work to put together all the detail of the project, due to the scale and complexity of the works required, but we know it'll be worthwhile because there's such potential here. We have admired the building for many years. We are extremely grateful to PDC for facilitating the grant process and to Edwin Bryant, Barrie Briscoe and the many professional advisers who have assisted us so far. We are looking forward to working with neighbours at the Harvey's Foundry Trust, particularly on improvements to the frontage."

Hayle Townscape Project Officer Tony Walden said "Several prominent buildings have already been targeted by the initiative. Regeneration in Hayle is clearly gathering pace and some highly visible buildings have already been refurbished by the private sector."

He is in detailed discussions with the owners of several other town centre buildings, including some with significant shop frontages. But he urged other local owners not to miss the opportunity. "It takes time to develop these projects and we're eager to bring properties forward as soon as we can, so that local owners can benefit from the investment on offer. Anyone interested can call in at the project office at John Harvey House, Harvey's original foundry showrooms at 24 Foundry Square, and talk through which buildings can be helped and how applications are made. I'm there to assist at every stage."

Hayle Townscape is offering financial and technical help with repairs to targeted historic buildings, including the reinstatement of lost or badly damaged architectural features such as traditional shopfronts, railings and small pane sash windows. It also plans to help with the enhancement of key spaces in the Hayle Conservation Area such as Foundry Square, the War Memorial and Market Square at Copperhouse.

Hayle Townscape is led by Penwith District Council, which jointly invests in it with the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Objective One Programme, South West of England Regional Development Agency, English Heritage, Cornwall County Council, Hayle Town Council and (at Foundry) the Guinness Trust. It is also supported by Regeneration Through Heritage, part of the Prince's Foundation.

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership said: "As part of its strategy the Objective One Programme has been investing in key towns as drivers of prosperity. By investing in Hayle we are not only conserving part of our historic environment but helping to give the area a new lease of life in commercial terms. This private sector project is proof that the strategy is working."

On show at John Harvey House are display panels featuring the Hayle Townscape initiative's streetscape proposals. The display was exhibited alongside proposals from Hayle Harbour developers ING Real Estate Development in December last year, when more than 1,200 visited.

Comments recorded from exhibition visitors have been the subject of close analysis by the Hayle Area Forum's Streetscape Working Group and by ING RED. These will guide Hayle Townscape's public realm works, for example, to improve the town centre's historic environment with new design features. ING RED proposes a second exhibition as public comments and study work enable the company to refine its plans before applying for planning permission.

For further information contact Tony Walden, the Hayle Townscape Project Officer on 01736 756820 or email: tony.walden@penwith.gov.uk or visit www.hayletownscape.co.uk.

The Objective One programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and specifically in unlocking Cornish potential through the European Social Fund (ESF).

Editor's notes:

Contact telephone numbers:

Martin and Emily Nixon, HBL Partnership, 01736 333122

Tony Walden, Hayle Townscape Project Officer, 01736 756820

Cassie Raymond, Project Assistant, 01736 759149

Steve Edwards, Hayle Townscape Project Coordinator, Penwith District Council, 01736 336711

Caroline Sargent, Investment & Bid Development Officer, Penwith District Council, 01736 336689

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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