Liskeard Guildhall Refurbishment

Liskeard Town Council is seeking tenders from suitably qualified and experienced contractors to undertake cleaning, decorating and minor repairs to former courtroom at the historic Grade 2* listed Guildhall.

Liskeard is an historic market town in South East Cornwall with a population of around 11,000 (with another 30,000 in the rural hinterland). The main shopping centre is characterised by small independent retailers. The Town Council owns and manages the Grade 2* Listed Guildhall on the junction of Fore Street, Pike Street and Market Street. This imposing building was originally built as a meat market and courtroom in 1859. The former market space on the ground floor is now four separate retail units within an attractive open arcade consisting of a greengrocer, dog groomer, beautician, and games/DVDs store. However, the former courtroom on the first floor, having gone through several changes of tenancy, most recently as an MMA gym, is vacant and requiring attention.

The former courtroom is accessed via an external staircase leading directly from Fore Street. The hall itself measures 116m2 with a balcony, toilet, and changing room. The high panelled ceiling, wooden floors and large amounts of natural light make this a flexible, attractive space.

The Town Council has been awarded a grant from Cornwall Council's Town Delivery Fund to undertake essential cleaning and repairs to the historic former courtroom with the aim of creating a unique space for local businesses and community organisations alike to trial a presence in the town centre and/or innovative approaches. The Council is also interested in exploring pop-ups, temporary eateries, events, markets, exhibitions, and festivals (e.g. beer festival). The overall aim to restore life and vitality to the town centre and attract residents and visitors.

The work will include inspecting and repair of sash windows, cleaning the lime plaster ceiling, covings, cross ribs and walls and decoration, decorating all interior joinery and metal balustrading on balcony, inspecting wall mounted infra-red heaters, decorating the external stairwell and historic cast iron gate, fabricating a new curved frame for opening above the cast iron gates and installing lighting and signage.