One of Penzance's most iconic buildings is set to be transformed as part of a larger £5.6 million scheme for Penzance.

This will see the refurbishment of St Johns Hall to provide a full range of public facilities, including Cornwall Council's 'one stop shop', registrars' service and replacement office accommodation for the 190 council staff currently sited at St Clare. The existing public hall and meeting rooms will also be retained.

Once the refurbishment of St John's has been completed, the second phase of the scheme will involve the council selling off St Clare and some other properties in Penzance.

Cornwall Council's cabinet took has given the go-ahead to the project in order to help make savings of around £100,000 per year after the cost of finance.

The ambitious scheme for the town also includes a proposal for moving Penzance Library to new facilities in St Johns Hall and the subsequent sale of the library building to Truro and Penwith College.

Council officers will now begin work on developing the details of the scheme.

A council spokesperson said a “substantial amount of time” has been built in to the potential programme, to allow discussion in more detailed matters of layout and delivery of services.

It is anticipated that the refurbishment will not be complete or any moves take place until early 2015.

No moves will take place until the relevant space at St Johns Hall is available.