Museum project gets £3.4m cash boost

Cornwall Council hopes the cultural centre and museum will open by March 2026

A major renovation scheme for an Isles of Scilly building has been given more funding.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, has given £3.4m to help turn St Mary's Town Hall into a museum and cultural centre.

The latest funding takes the total raised for the project to £15.72m, the council said.

The authority added the scheme was now fully funded and the aim was to open the renovated venue in Hugh Town by March 2026.

The project, being led by the Council of the Isles of Scilly and the Isles of Scilly Museum Association, is looking to restore and extend the Grade II listed building.

The venue would provide a "gathering space" for the local community

Cornwall Council said the cultural centre and museum would provide a "much-needed" indoor venue for cinema, theatre and live music performances.

It would also be a "gathering space" for the local community, the council added.

Jobs were also set to be created at the venue, Cornwall Council added, while it would also be a place to "celebrate the islands’ environment, heritage and culture".

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for economy, said: "We're delighted that the Good Growth programme has been able to complete the funding package that will make this exciting project a reality for the Isles of Scilly.

"Once complete it will create an enduring social and economic legacy for the islands, while celebrating their unique culture and heritage."