Former chapels and loos set for new lease of life

A number of disused buildings in Cornwall are being put up for rent in the hope they can be given a new lease of life.

Ten buildings, including chapels, former toilet blocks and a shop, are being advertised for rent.

All the buildings are at Cornwall Council-owned sites and they all need refurbishment, the local authority said.

The council said the sites were being offered on a 15-year lease, subject to negotiation. It added that it would be offering reduced rent periods where "significant investment" was needed.

Last year, seven chapel buildings were successfully leased through the council's Vacant Chapel Scheme.

All seven are currently being renovated, the council said.

One of the latest sites to be let is Helston Old Chapel, which is being transformed by a community interest group into a venue for performances and workshops.

Trevow Helston CIC was initially awarded a grant of £17,500 from the Community Capacity Fund to renovate the building.

It has since been awarded a further £101,208.25 from the Good Growth Community Levelling Up Programme to enable it to replace the chapel's windows, doors, shutters and floors and upgrade the building's electrics.

Guy Watson, director of Trevow Helston CIC, said the old chapel was "a beautiful, historic building".

He added: "These essential improvements will create a space where we can host a diverse programme of theatre, dance, live music, spoken word performances, cultural workshops and participatory projects all year round."

Mr Watson said the investment represented "a significant first step in developing a welcoming creative community hub for Helston".

Councillor Carol Mould, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods at the council, said it was "fantastic" to see the buildings being "given a second chance".

She said: "These are beautiful historic chapels and I'm looking forward to seeing what proposals come forward and how we can work with community groups, businesses and other organisations to bring these buildings back to their former glory."

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