Re-opening the St Ives Corn Exchange

Re-opening the St Ives Corn Exchange Alison Melnyczuk Town Clerk Nick Dibben Town Mayor

From this …… to this • Background • Design Development • Construction • Operation • Lessons learnt

Background • Built 1864 • Market traders / community use • Grade 2 listed • Town centre location By 2000s • Run by Town Council • Subsidy £30,000 pa • Poor state of repair • Structural issues • Closed 2001 Re-opening the Corm Exchange The

The Dark Ages • Public support for re-opening but no progress • Lack of vision • Town Council divided? • Little contact with public or possible users • £100,000 on fees • Decide to sell in October 2006 • Strong public disapproval !!! Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Developing a Business Plan User needs Operational set up Income Running costs Design brief Business Plan Re-opening the Corm Exchange Building costs

Possible users • Community group meetings • Markets / Fairs • Music / drama • Parties / dinners • Exercise /dance classes • Playgroup • Sports • Commercial meetings • Conferences • Community cinema • Tea shop • Fashion show • Local boxing Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Public consultation • Pubic exhibitions • Survey in Council magazine • Press article Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Building requirements • Users Requirements • Meetings Chairs / tables / tea facility / basic AV • Markets • Exercise Classes Clear space • Exhibitions • Parties Bar? / extra cooking facilities • Performances Stage, sound and lighting, blackout • Nursery Special WCs, outdoor play area • Conferences Extra AV / break out areas • Cinema Better AV , tierd seating • Office/ Storage/ Plant spaces/ cloakroom/ cleaners room / parking Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Design stage • Original Business Plan produced by ACE, updated by Town Council • Develop building brief • Scope of basic building and fit out • Appoint design team : • Architect, structural and services engineers, QS, • CDM Co-ordinator, legal input Key decisions • Local firms (cheap?) or experienced firms • Type of contract • Managing the design – the working party ! Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Key design decision Retain or re-build the back? • Rear of building • complex layout • Not DDA compliant • Small kitchen • Opportunity • Extra meeting space • More storage • Bigger kitchen • Reduce construction risk Extra cost £150,000 Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Legal duties • Asbestos survey ( legal requirement) • Comply with H&S requirements for workspaces • CDM (construction design management) • Intent to reduce risk during construction and operation / maintenance • For a large project the Client has duties • Client appoints CDM Co-ordinator • Refer HSE web-site for details Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Organisation • Town Council – Owns and maintains the Building • Corn Exchange CIC – Operates the building • ACE Friends of the Corn Exchange – Helps raise funds, provides volunteers Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Funding Total cost £1,200,000 • Town Council • Capital put aside each year (£500,000) • Public works loan (£500,000) • District Council • Grant for urgent repairs (£30,000) • ACE • Funding for fit out (£100,000) • Fund raising events • Donations • Grants Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Re-opening June 2010 Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Day to day running Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Lessons Learnt Process: Have a good brief and stick to it Involve community Seek advice when needed Accept ups and downs Building: More storage space Needed larger office Bars under used Stage lighting and sound under used Lamp changing ( don’t use low voltage lamps) Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Re-opening the St Ives Corn Exchange