Contractor Stepnell has begun enabling works on the £9m refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Town Hall in Hugh Town, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly.
The project will include extensive renovations and the construction of new extensions to create a modern museum and cultural centre.
Appointed through the Procure Partnerships South West Framework, Stepnell’s enabling works, including site investigations, soft strip removal, and asbestos scaffolding, are set to continue through to early 2025, with the full refurbishment expected to be completed by winter 2025/26.
The Isles of Scilly Cultural Centre and Museum is projected to open in spring 2026.
Rob Speirs, regional director at Stepnell, said: “We are honoured to be a part of this transformative project that will not only restore a historic building, but create a vital space for the community. As we begin the clearance works, we are focused on delivering a high-quality facility over the next couple of years, with minimal disruption to the community on St Mary’s, visitors from neighbouring islands and tourists.”
‘An exciting moment for our islands’
Cllr Robert Francis, chairman of the council of the Isles of Scilly, said: “This is such an exciting moment for our islands as we begin to see the promise of the new facility become a reality. Many of us have fond memories of joining together in the town hall when it was a treasured space for meeting with friends and celebrating important occasions together, and I cannot wait to see the building revived, repurposed and back where it belongs at the heart of the community.”
The project is backed by Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Shared Prosperity Fund, and Arts Council England.
