In 2002 we began working with Cornwall Council, Cornwall Development Company, Arts Council England, Redruth Town Council and the European Regional Development Fund to develop the former Redruth Grammar School into offices and managed workspaces. We bought the premises from the County Council in 2005 after Redruth School moved out in 2002 and gradually converted the former classrooms into studios.
The opening of 50 new studios in the Percy Williams Building in June 2015 doubled our capacity and enabled our already established community to expand and diversify further still. This was Phase 1 of our redevelopment plan, Phase 2 began in summer 2019 and was completed in November 2020. Our aim is to create a nationally significant cluster of businesses and practitioners on site who will raise Cornwall’s reputation for creative excellence, work together to maximise knowledge exchange and innovative collaboration, act as a magnet to attract more businesses to our area and contribute to the regeneration of Redruth.
The Phase 1 Percy Williams development cost £3.7 million with the investment justified by our success and popularity among tenants. This was a flagship scheme to promote the best of the Creative Industries in Cornwall and was funded by the European Regional Development Fund with a mortgage from Triodos Bank as well as other local investors. The building created 50 new spaces, doubling Krowji’s capacity.
Phase 2 of our development, funded mostly by the European Regional Development Fund, Arts Council England and Cornwall Council, created 21 new studios in a BREEAM excellent rated extension to the existing Percy Williams Building. Initial work began with the demolition of part of the dilapidated 1950s Science Block in 2019, to make way for the purpose built spaces. Falmouth-based Jewell Construction, an established family firm, won the prestigious tender to build the £2 million Phase 2 of the landmark Percy Williams Building. The Phase 2 scheme was project managed for Krowji by Truro-based Currie & Brown.
The Phase 2 project received up to £1,452,743 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regeneration.
In line with ERDF funding requirements, an evaluation of the Phase 2 development was undertaken for Krowji Ltd by JOHT Resources Ltd, working with Moor Economics Ltd in June 2020. The summary report of this evaluation is available to read here, if you are interested to find out more about this research or read the full report please contact Krowji to discuss.
