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

From this …… to this Background Design Development Construction Operation Lessons learnt 2

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 3 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 !!! 4 Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Developing a Business Plan 5 Re-opening the Corm Exchange Business Plan User needs Operational set up Building costs Income Running costs Design brief

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 6 Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Public consultation Pubic exhibitions Survey in Council magazine Press article 7 Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Building requirements Users Requirements MeetingsChairs / 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 8 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 ! 9 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, 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 11 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 12 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 13 Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Re-opening June Re-opening the Corm Exchange

Day to day running TaskBy BookingsCIC 2 part time staff / software CleaningCIC - contract Marketing / web-siteCIC – volunteers AccountsCIC – volunteer Future StrategyCIC H&SCIC – volunteer ReceptionVolunteers (50 on rota) Tea shopVolunteers Special eventsACE / CIC staff Day to day maintenanceVolunteers Fabric and services maintenanceTown Council 15 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) 16 Re-opening the Corm Exchange