The second phase of Krowji’s £2 million creative workspace is back on track and set for a mid-autumn opening.
Progress on the scheme was originally hampered by bad weather last winter, followed by the pandemic breaking out in March.
It sees the creation of a further 21 studios, linked by a bridge to the £3.7 million Phase 1 building which opened in 2015. They will add Krowji workspaces for around 40 extra people to the current community of 200 working in the arts and creative industries on the site of Redruth’s Old Grammar School.
“It’s been a turbulent year and lockdown was challenging for us as it was for everyone – but it is great to feel we are back on track with an opening of our fantastic new building in sight,” said Krowji founder and Creative Kernow chief executive Ross Williams.
“We are always an optimistic working community here and we support each other through thick and thin. We’ve managed to help our artists, creatives and businesses work safely right through lockdown and beyond and now we have a waiting list on many of our new studios and spaces so we feel very positive about the future.”
The opening of the new building is likely to be one of the final acts in Williams’ career with Creative Kernow and Krowji – after nearly 30 years with the organisation he is due to retire by the end of the year, though he will still be involved in other projects in Redruth. The task of recruiting not just a new CEO, but also finance director has just begun – with Sue Scregg announcing her retirement after eight years with Krowji and Creative Kernow’s finances.
